In this critical election year, we have seen numerous attempts to suppress our right to vote and undermine our constitutionally-required free and fair election. Between the implications of required social distancing at polling stations to attacks on mail-in voting, it may be more difficult and time-consuming than ever for citizens to vote, and it’s no secret that one major obstacle is every citizen’s ability to leave work on November 3.
GLAAD is calling upon our corporate partners, and Corporate America as a whole, to step up as leaders and eliminate as many of these obstacles as possible. From educating voters and providing registration materials, to making election day a company holiday, our partners have been rising to the occasion to make sure 2020 sees the largest voter turnout in history.
The outcome of this election will have rippling effects for decades to come. Below are just a few of our partners who understand the gravity of this. After reading about the steps they are taking, here are some ways YOU can take action:
- If you are an employer, share this with your team, and invite them to take the pledge to vote on November 3.
- Visit our action center to check your voter registration with our partner Headcount, and encourage everyone you know to do the same.
- Use and share our resources on how to get absentee ballots if you can’t vote in person.
Blue Point Brewing Company has launched its campaign in support of making Election Day a federal holiday with the limited-edition ‘Voters’ Day Off’ IPA beer can. It features a QR code linked to a website created in partnership with HeadCount which provides information about how to check voter registration status, register to vote, and sign Blue Point’s Change.org petition to make Election Day a national holiday.
Coca-Cola announced that Election Day will be a paid holiday for all full-time, U.S.-based employees, not only to give employees the flexibility to vote in-person, but to allow any employees who voted by mail to volunteer at voting locations.
Following a recommendation from their Black Employees and Mentors (BEAMs) ERG, Splunk has made Election Day a permanent holiday in the company’s calendar. Splunk has made it clear that all employees deserve time off to vote and participate in democracy and is encouraging U.S. employees to further support the election by volunteering at their local polling stations.
Meanwhile, the Ad Council has teamed up with ViacomCBS to launch Vote For Your Life, a nonpartisan campaign focused on getting young people to register to vote, request their ballots, and vote early this election year. The campaign highlights key issues like jobs, security, and justice, directing viewers to VoteForYourLife.com which provides resources to check their registration and make plans to ensure their vote is counted.
At GLAAD, we are proud to partner with organizations like Blue Point Brewing Company, Coca-Cola, Splunk, and ViacomCBS who are stepping up to help make sure every American citizen’s voice is heard. I hope we can count on you to do what you can to help, and make sure to vote yourself on November 3.
If your organization is working to ensure that your employees are able to vote this year, please contact Taylor Owen, towen@glaad.org, with your plans!