Axios
All CEOs who spoke out against Georgia’s new voting restrictions
More than 100 companies, including Twitter, Zillow and Uber, released a joint statement through the Civic Alliance on Friday, joining a number of major companies that expressed concern about Georgia law that restricts access to votes. . But many of these companies, several of which are based in Georgia, could have spoken out earlier, when the law was being considered or before the governor’s signature. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Sign up to receive free Activists pressured Georgia-based companies to publicly oppose the legislation for weeks before it was enacted and are now asking people to boycott the companies. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) rejected the reaction on Wednesday, telling CNBC: “I would encourage these CEOs to look at other states in which they are doing business and compare the real facts with Georgia.” What they are saying, Civic Alliance: “Our elections do not improve when legislators impose barriers that result in more lines at the ballot box or that reduce access to secure ballot boxes,” said the joint statement. ” We are in solidarity with voters 一 and with black executives and leaders in charge of this movement 一 in our non-partisan commitment to equality and democracy. “Signatory signatories include: Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Lyft, Etsy, Reddit, Snap Inc., Salesforce and ViacomCBS.Facebook:” We support making voting as accessible and broad as possible and we oppose efforts to make it more difficult for people vote, “said Roy Austin, vice president and general counsel for civil rights, in a statement. Google:” We have long created tools and resources to make it easier for people to vote. But knowing how to vote depends on whether people can vote, “senior vice president Kurt Walker tweeted.” We are concerned with efforts to restrict voting at the local level and strongly support the John Lewis Advancing Rights Act. “” Our democracy is being attacked by a new wave of Jim Crow bills that seek to restrict the right to vote. It is urgent that companies across the country take a stand – and use their brands as a force for good in support to our democracy. “” We urge companies to join us in supporting the John Lewis Advance Voting Rights Act and the People’s Law. “Mailchimp:” Voting must be safe, accessible and easy for everyone. The SB202 undermines free and fair elections in our home state, Georgia, and will make it more difficult for people to exercise their right to vote, especially people of color. Georgians deserve better, “said CEO Ben Chestnut. Bank of America:” Our history, in fact, is punctuated by the moments when we expanded that right to those who had been denied for a long time. We must continue to correct the mistakes of our past, and remain united in our defense of equal voting rights for all, “wrote President and CEO Brian Moynihan in a message to officials. Apple:” The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy . American history is the story of the expansion of voting rights for all citizens, and Bla People, in particular, have had to march, fight and even give their lives for more than a century to defend that right, “said CEO Tim Cook told Axios. “Apple believes that, thanks in part to the power of technology, it should be easier than ever for all qualified citizens to exercise their right to vote.” Business Roundtable: “The right to vote is the essence of a democratic society, and the voice of every voter must be heard in fair elections conducted with integrity. Unnecessary restrictions on the right to vote attack the bosom of representative government. Roundtable members business leaders believe that state laws should safeguard and guarantee the right to vote. “The group represents hundreds of the country’s top CEOs and has called on elected officials across the country to” commit to bipartisan efforts to provide greater access to voting and encourage broad voter participation “. Microsoft: “We are concerned about the impact of the law on communities of color, on all voters and on our employees and their families.” We share the opinion of other corporate leaders that it is not only right, but essential for the business community to remain united in opposition to harmful provisions and other similar legislation that may be considered elsewhere. “American Express:” Ensuring equal and easy access to voting, for all those who are eligible to participate in each state, is fundamental to uphold the principles that our country has been, “wrote CEO Steve Squeri on LinkedIn.” As a company and a leadership team, we … oppose any efforts to suppress voting, which is a fundamental right of all Americans. Coca-Cola: Georgia’s law is “unacceptable” and “a step backwards,” CEO James Quincey told CNBC on Wednesday. “[It] it is wrong and needs to be corrected, and we will continue to defend it both in private and now even more clearly in public. “Cisco:” Our vote is our voice and everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard. Governments should work to make voting easier, not more difficult, “tweeted Cisco President and CEO Chuck Robbins.” Ensuring equal #VotingRights is not a political issue, it is a matter of right and wrong. “Delta Airlines:”[I]It is clear that the bill includes provisions that will make it more difficult for many underrepresented voters, especially black voters, to exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives. This is wrong. “Kemp responded to Delta’s opposition at noon on Wednesday, saying,” Throughout the legislative process, we have spoken directly to Delta representatives over and over again … At no time did Delta share any opposition to the expansion of early voting , strengthening voter identification measures, increasing the use of safe deposit boxes across the state, and making it easier for local electoral officials to manage elections. “” Today’s statement by Delta CEO Ed Bastian, contrasts sharply with our conversations with the company, ignores the content of the new law and unfortunately continues to spread the same false attacks repeated by party activists, “added Kemp, according to NBC News.JPMorgan Chase: “Voting is critical to the health and future of our democracy. … We regularly encourage our employees to exercise their fundamental right to vote and are opposed to efforts that may prevent them from doing so. “72 black executives, led by former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and the departure of Merck CEO Ken Frazier, also asked companies to oppose voting restrictions in a historic open letter. Other prominent companies: Home Depot, AFLAC , Cisco, BlackRock, Citigroup, Cardinal HealthEditor’s Note: This story will be updated as new statements are made.