We are entering the final days of the fight for our democracy as we near the January 17th deadline to pass federal voting rights legislation. Sen. Manchin is still on the side of racist voter suppressors. In West Virginia, major employers like Macy’s, Kroger, Wal-Mart, West Virginia University, and WVU Medicine aren't doing anything to make sure that every West Virginian has the right to vote. You probably know these companies. You may even work for one of these companies. The leaders of these companies need to know that silence is no longer an option. 

85% of business leaders acknowledge that a stronger democracy leads to a stronger economy, and major employers like Macy’s, Kroger, Wal-Mart, West Virginia University, and WVU Medicine are not demanding that the U.S. Senate restore federal voter and election protections. When these companies don’t take a public stance, it sends a clear message to elected officials and to their own employees that they don’t care. This is especially true for Black customers and employees who have had their right to vote targeted for generations. 

Tell these companies to take a stand and publicly demand that Sen. Manchin reform the Jim Crow Filibuster and pass meaningful voting rights legislation. 

Last year was catastrophic for our democracy, and in turn, our economy. In 2021, 19 states passed 34 laws that shortened the window for absentee voting, limited early voting, closed polling places in Black communities, and instituted harsh voter ID requirements. 

Democrats introduced two pieces of federal voting rights legislation that would reverse racist voter suppression laws and provide national standards for automatic voter registration and nationwide early voting. Both of these bills were already passed by the House of Representative in 2021, but Republicans are using the Jim Crow Filibuster to block the bills from even having a vote in the Senate.  If these companies continue to do nothing, this year could be equally as catastrophic for our democracy. 

These bills deserve a final vote, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised to force a vote on reforming the filibuster by January 17th. We don’t have much time left. We need democracy carve outs to the filibuster to push these bills forward NOW. Tell these companies to do the right thing today!

Here is the Petition:

Dear [CEO],
We know our society won’t experience freedom and justice for all until we ensure that everyone is able to participate in democratic processes like voting on an equal basis. I am concerned about the Senate’s failure to bring comprehensive federal democracy legislation to a vote. Urge Sen. Manchin to reform the Jim Crow Filibuster and pass meaningful voting rights legislation.

85% of business leaders acknowledge that a stronger democracy leads to a stronger economy, and yet corporate leaders are doing nothing while our democracy is in crisis. In the past year, elected officials across the country have exploited the lack of federal oversight to impose policies that disproportionately limit Black voters’ access to the ballot. Two bills have been introduced that would protect the right to vote: The Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

Both of these bills were already passed by the House of Representative in 2021, but Republicans are using the Jim Crow Filibuster to block the bills from even having a vote in the Senate. The filibuster has been used in the past to block anti-lynching legislation, protect poll taxes, and delay the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Now it’s being used to block these vital pieces of voting rights legislation.

Legislators shouldn’t get to choose which votes matter just because they do not like the results of an election. Right now, Sen. Manchin is not doing enough to protect the right to vote. 

As one of the largest employers in West Virginia, your silence on the importance of voting rights legislation sends a clear message to the elected officials who represent the state and to your own employees – especially Black employees who have had their right to vote targeted for generations. I urge you to denounce efforts to make it harder for West Virginians to vote and urge Sen. Manchin to reform the Jim Crow Filibuster and pass meaningful federal voting rights legislation.

Sincerely,
Your name