Starbucks, Target, Westfield Corp. and others team up to boost voter turnout

Democracy Works, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, said on Wednesday it is teaming up with an array of companies, including Starbucks, Target and Westfield Corp., in an effort to boost U.S. voter turnout to 80% by 2020.



The project, called the TurboVote Challenge, is ambitious. The last time the U.S. achieved a voter turnout rate over 80% was in 1888. An estimated 57.5% of eligible citizens voted in the 2012 presidential election.



In remarks at Starbucks’ annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday, chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, who has never been shy about speaking out about U.S. politics, and social issues, said the dysfunction and polarization he first spoke about two years ago has grown worse,



“Now more than ever we need to elevate citizenship above partisanship in America, and working to increase voter registration and participation will help more people recognize how much their voices matter,” Schultz said.



Participating companies in the program will be charged with designing “civic engagement plans” that could include promoting voter registration and awareness among their employees, using communication channels to share the goal with customers and stakeholders and sponsoring awareness campaigns to keep people engaged and voting. Democracy Works will provide planning and implementation support as needed.



“Target has a long history of being an active citizen and a valued neighbor in the communities where we live and work,” said Target executive VP & chief corporate social responsibility officer Laysha Ward. “We believe engaged citizens generate a healthy democracy – one where we can create a brighter and healthier future for our guests, team members and communities. We know we can’t do it alone, and are pleased to join hands with other organizations and Democracy Works to help build greater voter engagement and a world where we all feel we have a voice.”