In this November 3, 2020 file photo, an election worker speaks to a voter before voting on a paper ballot on election day in Atlanta, Georgia.

Brynn Anderson / AP

Why world citizens should care

Democracy in the United States depends on citizens casting their votes to elect representatives, but many people – especially people of color and people living in low-income communities – do not have equal and fair access to vote. To ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, leaders need to ensure that their citizens can vote safely and fairly, no matter who they are or where they live. Join us in taking action here to promote justice and justice.

Patagonia is taking action to support democracy in the United States.

The California-based outdoor apparel company announced Monday that it was donating $ 1 million to two constituencies in Georgia in response to the state’s recently passed law restricting the right to vote, according to The Hill.

In a statement, Patagonia’s CEO Ryan Gellert said the company will split its donation equally between the Black Voters Matter Fund and the New Georgia Project, constituencies working to ensure that Georgia voters have the information they need to choose to register and exercise their right.

“Protecting our democracy is an ongoing commitment that has our hands full,” said Gellert. “The strength of our democracy depends on every vote being counted everywhere, and we have to protect access to the ballot box.”

He also urged other CEOs to take action to defend the franchise by funding voting rights activists and networks, and urged their senators to approve the For the People Act (HR 1) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRAA) support and encourage business partners to speak out against state laws that would restrict electoral access

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3rd November 2020

14 ways to make sure your role in democracy doesn’t end with your vote

Georgia Senate Law 202 (SB202) has received widespread criticism since it was signed on March 25. It is part of a wave of legislation introduced in the US in response to historic voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the legislature introduced 361 bills with restrictive voting provisions in 47 states in March 2021 alone. Many of these bills include new restrictions on postal voting, such as shortening the time window for receiving a ballot and enforcing stricter identity requirements for voters.

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August 21, 2020

8 Voting Moments That Changed the Course of US History

Suffrage activists say the influx of electoral law is disenfranchising certain communities, particularly low-income voters and people of color who already have low turnout due to voting restrictions due to racial prejudice, according to the American Bar Association.

Critics of the new law in Georgia specifically list a variety of provisions that they consider restrictive and say they will affect voter turnout. According to the AP, this includes the law requiring voters to present identification to request a postal ballot, shortening the time window for voters to request a postal ballot and return that ballot, and limiting the number of mailboxes available for mail. in polls, the ban on the distribution of food or drink to anyone standing to vote; and the Georgia state electoral board new powers to intervene in district electoral offices and remove and replace local electoral officials.

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March 19, 2021

Justice vs. Equality: What’s the Difference?

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, stricter requirements for voter cards are disproportionately affecting low-income voters and people of color for various reasons. One of them is that obtaining the necessary documents – such as a birth certificate or passport – is too expensive or difficult for many people, which limits the willingness to vote. Another reason is that many people who live in urban areas often fail to get a driver’s license.

In addition to Patagonia, several other corporate leaders have admitted how restrictive the new electoral law in Georgia is and will suppress votes.

Actions speak louder than words.
We’re donating $ 1 million to groups working to defend our democracy and your right to vote. Join us in 3 important measures: https://t.co/mo61VCidwf

– Patagonia (@patagonia) April 6, 2021

James Quincey, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company, one of Georgia’s largest corporations, said the company does not support Georgia’s voting law and will focus on “promoting federal laws that protect access to voting and the repression of voters fight across the country ”. according to an April 1 statement.

Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, Georgia, originally expressed its support for SB 202 and released a statement welcoming the bill for the “expansion”[ing] Weekend voting … and protect[ing] the ability of a voter to cast a postal vote without giving a reason.

After Delta was criticized for failing to recognize the restrictive provisions of the bill, Ed Bastian, Delta Air Lines CEO, said that he had spoken to executives and employees in the Black community and understood that “[SB 202] is unacceptable and does not correspond to Delta’s values. ”Bastian also pointed out that the law“ would make it difficult for many under-represented voters, especially black voters, to exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives ”.

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Oct 2, 2020

5 ways you can make your voice heard – even if you can’t choose

With more electoral laws introduced each month in response to unfounded fears of electoral fraud, electoral activists say it is more important than ever for individuals and businesses to hold government officials accountable in order to improve access to voting.

Disclosure: Delta Air Lines and the Coca-Cola Company are partners of Global Citizen.