CEOs and Leaders Gather to Speak Against Voting Law

Several top executives and corporate Leaders gathered online this weekend to discuss their response to restrictive voting laws. The statement did not identify the participants, but it was reported that the meeting included executives from major airlines, manufacturers, and retailers. The statement issued by the Yale School of Management and two other civic groups did not offer much specifics.

The statement noted, “CEOs indicated readiness to act individually and collectively to shore up American democracy and ensure Americans have access to a world-class voting system.” The actions could include halting donations to politicians supporting the bills and even delaying the states’ investments that pass the restrictive measures.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Kenneth Chenault, the former chief executive of American Express Co., and Kenneth Frazier, CEO of Merck, urged many Leaders to call for greater voting access collectively. Both of them warned businesses against dropping the issue and asked the CEOs to sign a statement opposing the discriminatory legislation on voting.

Early this week, the new statement is expected and would be on one that 72 Black executives signed last month after the changes to Georgia’s voting laws. Many companies and their Leaders spoke up on the issue in recent weeks. The action has been derided by republican lawmakers like Senate Minority Leaders Mitch McConnell. Many activists say that the big business hasn’t gone far enough.

More than 350 different voting bills are under consideration in dozens of states as part of the public policy think tank. Many companies indicate their support of a statement or any further action, of which some remain reticent to speak out on politically charged issues.