NEW YORK, April 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, more
than 100 top business leaders across industry joined a rapid
response call to discuss critical information regarding voting law
proposals and to explore non-partisan actions business leaders
could take to defend voting rights and our democracy. The meeting
builds on a growing chorus from business leaders to fight more than
350 voting laws being introduced in 47 states that are
discriminatory and designed to limit Americans' ability to vote.
With 68% of business leaders now believing democracy is at
risk, today's meeting signals the urgency with which corporate
America is taking responsibility to protect the most fundamental
pillar of our democracy.
CEOs indicated readiness to act individually and collectively to
shore up American democracy and ensure Americans have access to a
world class voting system. CEOs who participated in a live poll
indicated they will re-evaluate donations to candidates supporting
bills that restrict voting rights and many would reconsider
investments in states which act upon such proposals.
Robust participation in fair elections and the rule of law are
the foundation of America's economic dynamism. It's critical that
corporate America show leadership on this issue, for the long-term
interests of all of its stakeholders, including shareholders,
customers, employees, and the communities in which they
operate.
A new poll conducted by Morning Consult discussed on the call
found that 73% of adults agree that the government should
ensure voters have equitable access to polling locations, hours,
and drop-boxes. The poll also found that the majority of
Democrats and plurality of Republicans both agree that
companies should support legislation which focuses on increasing
access to voting and should not support officials who favor
limiting voting rights.
The historic levels of participation across the political
spectrum in the 2020 election amid a global pandemic were a triumph
for democracy. Business leaders view this progress as something to
build on, not to roll back. Robust initiatives are underway to
protect the democratic process. More than 60 of the leading 100 law
firms in the U.S. are working with voting rights organizations to
activate against all legislation that restricts the right to
vote.
"We are encouraged by the commitment CEOs who met today to
reinforce the legitimacy of the 2020 election and expand voting
rights," said Daniella Ballou-Aares, Co-founder & CEO of the
Leadership Now Project. "Leadership Now Project's
forward-leaning group of business executives across the country are
ready to work with partners locally and nationally to translate
this commitment to action."
"It is our patriotic duty to protect the most vital of rights
for all Americans. This is an essential act of inclusive capitalism
because without a thriving democracy we cannot have a thriving and
secure capitalism," said Lynn Forester
de Rothschild, Founding & Managing Partner of Inclusive
Capital Partners and Founder & Chair of the Coalition for
Inclusive Capitalism. "I applaud all the CEOs who use the power
of their corporations for the common good."
"It is inspiring to see such an outpouring of courage and
patriotism by a wide cross section of major business leaders
supporting the fundamental right of each American to vote," said
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Senior
Associate Dean for Leadership Studies at the Yale School of
Management. "The spectrum of political views and industries
were unified in the voices for greater voter equity and
access."
This meeting was convened in partnership with:
The Chief Executive Leadership Institute (CELI) is the
pioneer of CEO learning. The Institute hosts CEO summits, bringing
together business leaders, policy makers, and leading academics in
a unique learning environment that fosters candid, off-the-record
exchanges.
The Leadership Now Project is a membership organization of
business and thought leaders who are committed to long-term
solutions to renew American democracy.
The Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism is a global non-profit
organization that works with leaders across the private, public,
and civic sectors to make capitalism inclusive and its benefits
more widely and equitably shared.
Yale School of Management Contact:
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld -
jeffrey.sonnenfeld@yale.edu
Cassidy Rhodes -
cassidy.rhodes@yale.edu
Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism Contacts:
Lynn Forester de Rothschild -
lynn@inclusivecapitalism.com
Amanda Byrd -
amanda@inclusivecapitalism.com
Leadership Now Project Contacts:
Daniella Ballou-Aares - daniella@leadershipnowproject.org
Grace Deal -
grace@leadershipnowproject.org
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SOURCE Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism