Patagonia going the extra mile for Election Day

Patagonia is giving its employees an incentive to help ensure voting rights this Election Day. 

The outdoor apparel brand, known for its activist environmental advocacy, will close its stores, headquarters and distribution center on Election Day as it did in 2016 and 2018. And this year, for the first time, Patagonia will also offer its employees up to four days of paid time to train and serve as volunteer poll workers. 

While on the clock, Patagonia employees will also help get out the vote by writing handwritten letters or texting low-propensity voters. In making the move, the company cited research from the Environmental Voter Project indicating at least 10 million environmentalists did not vote in the 2016 elections. Patagonia said it will also provide access to a photocopier in places where a copy of a voter’s ID is required with their mail-in ballot (Dallas and Austin stores). 

More than in previous years, retailers across the board, from Nordstrom to Old Navy, have launched voting-related initiatives. Most recently, Foot Locker said it would install voter registration hubs at its stores chainwide. 

Patagonia has long been known for its activist policies. In 2018, the brand made its first-ever political endorsements in support of two Democrats running for Senate. In making the move, the company referenced its longstanding support of environmental causes and the urgent need to see “wild places” protected for future generations.

“Patagonia is doing our part to ensure this November’s elections are accessible for all eligible voters,” said Hilary Dessouky, Patagonia’s general counsel. “Already this election has been marred by misinformation about voting, roadblocks to accessible voting and threats to cut essential voting services like the US Postal Service, which allow people to vote safely and securely.”

According to a recent study by the Brookings Institution that looked at state rankings of vote-by-mail pandemic preparedness, seven states where Patagonia has retail locations received a grade of C or D, indicating it will be difficult for voters to cast their ballot by mail. To help address this, Patagonia retail stores will be partnering with local groups to share up-to-date, localized information on voting policies and procedures.