Dear John, As part of our ongoing voter mobilization and election information campaign, American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is providing you with weekly updates on the imminent 2020 election. Strong leadership is needed to ensure a fair, free election, and ASBC strongly supports all business leaders who are encouraging their communities, employees and other stakeholders to get out the vote. PROVOC & TogetherWeVote Promotes Inclusive Youth Voting
Younger minority Americans’ lives will be heavily impacted by the November 3 election, and their votes are crucial. Less than a month left before election day, we’re proud to share the outstanding work carried out by PROVOC, an ASBC and Social Venture Circle member; with #TogetherWeVote, a campaign promoted by a coalition of organizations dedicated to civil rights and racial justice that encourages minorities age 18 to 35 to exercise their right to vote. Learn more about PROVOC and #TogetherWe Vote here. New Study Finds Mail-In Voting Has Been Virtually Fraud-Free
With unprecedented numbers of Americans voting by mail through Nov. 3 due to the risk of Covid-19, trust that our election will be legitimate and fair is of utmost importance. That trust appears reasonable, as a new report by the non-profit Electronic Registration Center has found only miniscule evidence of voting fraud in three states that rely on “mail-in-only” voting. Out of 14.6 million mail-in ballots cast in Colorado, Oregon and Washington in 2016 and 2018, there were only 372 possible cases involving double voting or voting in place of a deceased person; or only 0.0025 percent. https://www.vox.com/2020/9/30/21494840/2020-debate-fact-check-trump-vote-by-mail-fraud Postal Workers Resist DeJoy’s USPS Slow-Down
ASBC continues to monitor recent changes by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and their potential impact on the upcoming presidential election. We’ve also crafted a business sign-on letter to DeJoy and the USPS Board of Governors demanding full restoration of service, both for voting and for critical business transactions and deliveries that have surged during the pandemic. DeJoy’s recently introduced cost-cutting administrative measures include removing mail-sorting machines and cutting overtime, but critics argued that the measures were unnecessarily delaying delivery. Now, news reports indicate some USPS workers are resisting DeJoy’s changes. Numerous workers have asserted that these changes have resulted in an overall decline in morale, especially now that Americans largely rely on the USPS to ensure everyone's right to vote. Workers’ subtle resistance to removing mail-sorting machines symbolizes their commitment to fulfilling their duty despite the obstacles brought by DeJoy’s administration. Upcoming Dates: - States with registration deadlines 10/2-10/10: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
- States with ongoing in-person absentee voting 10/2 - 10/9: Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Ohio, New Mexico, South Dakota, South Carolina, and Virginia.
- States with ongoing early voting 10/2 - 10/9: Minnesota, Nebraska, and Vermont.
- Check your voter registration date here
- First Vice Presidential Debate: Wednesday, October 7 from 9 to 10:30 p.m. ET The University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Second United States Presidential Debate: Thursday, October 15 from 9 to 10:30 p.m. ET Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, in Miami, Florida.
At ASBC, we acknowledge that it’s crucial for every responsible company to facilitate voter registration, stand for voter access, encourage poll-worker recruitment and support employees’ and other shareholders’ voting as part of its overall CSR and sustainability strategy. Please prioritize voting as a central theme in your community outreach between now and Nov. 3 and let us know if ASBC can assist in your efforts. There’s everything at stake and no time to lose! | |
