Sportswear companies back Time to Vote
Patagonia, Nike and Sweaty Betty are among more than 700 companies - including a large number from the outdoor sector - that have joined Time to Vote, a nonpartisan coalition that aims to increase voter participation in the US elections.
Voter turnout in the US is one of the lowest in the developed world and one of the most common reasons people give for not voting is that they are too busy with the demands of life and work, according to the companies.
The coalition, which represents more than six million workers in the US, is addressing this challenge by giving employees the time and the tools they need to exercise their right to vote in the November general election.
“The need has never been greater for businesses to provide their employees dedicated time off to vote,” said Dan Schulman, president and CEO of PayPal, one of the three companies that founded Time to Vote in 2018. “No American should have to choose between earning a paycheque and voting. Business leaders around the country must step up and do what’s needed to ensure all of their employees will have the opportunity to have their voices heard this November.”
Some companies – such as The North Face and New Balance - have announced a variety of measures to ensure their employees are able to fully participate in the general election, such as making Election Day a paid company holiday, offering paid time off on Election Day and actively promoting initiatives such as early voting and vote-by-mail, particularly in light of the challenges presented by voting amid a global pandemic.
