WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, the Freedom to Vote Act was reintroduced in the United States Congress. As state legislatures across the country work to roll back voting rights, the Freedom to Vote Act seeks to set national standards for voting access and election administration that promote fairness in our democracy and trust in our elections.
Reacting to the reintroduction of the Freedom to Vote Act, founding partners of the Business & Democracy Initiative, including Leadership Now Project CEO Daniella Ballou-Aares, Public Private Strategies Founder Rhett Buttle, and Black Economic Alliance CEO Samantha Tweedy, released the following statement:
“Shared economic prosperity is built on the foundation of fair representation for every American. Right now, state legislatures across the country are working to undermine fair representation by rolling back voting rights protections, gerrymandering districts, and even working to give themselves the power to overturn free and fair election results. “Business leaders – from Fortune 500 companies to Main Street – have been front and center in the work to protect voting rights and promote democratic fairness. Research from the Business & Democracy Initiative shows that over 80% of business leaders recognize the role businesses should play to support a safe and fair electoral process.
“We applaud measures in the Freedom to Vote Act that protect voters of color by setting national standards for voting access and cracking down on unfair districts that severely undercut the political power of millions. And we know that business leaders across the country – representing the most trusted institution in American life according to recent Gallup polling – will continue to advocate for measures like those in the Freedom to Vote Act that strengthen our democracy.”
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About the Business & Democracy Initiative
We are a partnership of business organizations dedicated to protecting our elections and rebuilding trust in democratic institutions because we know that a strong democracy is the cornerstone of a dynamic and inclusive American economy. The Business & Democracy Initiative’s founding partners are top business leaders and advocates: the Black Economic Alliance, the Leadership Now Project, and Public Private Strategies. We engage stakeholders across all levels of business to advocate for reforms that strengthen our democracy. As the health and stability of American democracy continue to be under serious threat, the business community is a critical voice in the fight to preserve our free, open, and democratic system. Learn more about the Initiative at businessanddemocracy.org.
