Republican lawmakers around the nation continue to push stricter voting bills even as business leaders warn that the laws can disrupt the economic climate and democracy.
Over 50 companies and organizations joined together to write an open letter opposing the new laws. The letter was signed by Patagonia, Levi Strauss & Co., American Airlines, Microsoft Corp., HP Inc., and others.
“We believe the right to vote is sacred. When more people participate in our democratic process, we will all prosper,” the letter said. “The growth of free enterprise is directly related to the freedom of its citizens.”
The Republicans argue that the laws will bring integrity back into the election process. Donald Trump incited this change by spreading baseless claims that the election was rigged. Others believe that these new measures will have a negative impact on Black and Brown communities.
Todd Coerver, CEO of Texas-based P-Terry’s Burger Stand, signed the letter too. The CEO says that opinions of the legislation made it easy for him to participate.
“For us this was not necessarily a political statement,” Coerver said. “We see it as less of a political issue and more as a human rights initiative.”
In March, over 72 Black executives signed an open letter after Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed restrictive voting legislation into law. The executives demanded that corporations speak out against the bills.
