Major companies publish ad opposing restrictive voting laws throughout the US News
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Major companies publish ad opposing restrictive voting laws throughout the US

Over 100 major corporations, including Starbucks, Apple, and Facebook, joined a full page ad in the New York Times affirming their support for democracy and accessible voting.

The statement reads:

As Americans, we know that in our democracy we should not expect to agree on everything. However, regardless of our political affiliations, we believe the very foundation of our electoral process rests upon the ability of each of us to cast our ballots for the candidates of our choice . . . We all should feel a responsibility to defend the right to vote and to oppose any discriminatory legislation or measures that restrict or prevent any eligible voter from having an equal and fair opportunity to cast a ballot.

Although the letter does not name Georgia’s SB 202, the controversial new law has reignited public cries for voting accessibility. SB 202 implements voter ID laws, limits early and absentee voting and bans volunteers from giving water or food to voters waiting in line. Critics of laws like SB 202, like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), say the legislation will disproportionately affect voters of color and working-class voters.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson reposted a letter he wrote last August to Starbucks partners affirming the company’s support for free and fair elections. In a tweet, Johnson wrote, “[w]e must eliminate systemic barriers that prevent people of color and historically underrepresented communities from voting.”

Hundreds of prominent individuals, law firms, and non-profits organizations also signed the statement. Major League Baseball (MLB) announced earlier this month that the 2021 All-State Game would no longer be held in Georgia in response to the voting restricitons.

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