Fight for the Future: Make a Plan to Vote
Climate change. Social injustice. Systemic racism. These are heavy issues without easy answers. The question is, are you ready to join the fight for our future?
Next time you’re out on the trails, consider this: Only 57% of the outdoor community votes regularly. That means nearly half the people you pass won’t stand up to protect the places they love.
Resource Zone
Power the Polls - Volunteer as a poll worker to help ensure safe and secure elections.
Make a Plan to Vote - Check your registration, request a mail-in ballot, and receive reminders.
ACLU Voter Toolkit – Learn how to vote by mail, the safest option for many this election cycle.
ACLU Legislative Scorecard – Find out how often your local legislator voted in line with the ACLU positions.
Vote411 Voter Guide – Review candidate information all the way down your local ballot.
POW Action Fund Voter Guidebook – Get the details on which candidates are climate champs.
As a community, we must do better.
Protecting both people and our planet means recognizing the reality that climate change, racism and social injustice, and the lack of diversity, equality, and inclusion in our industry are linked. A truly sustainable future for all is one that is powered by equitable and regenerative systems.
With upcoming elections in the United States, our biggest opportunity to fight for the future is to exercise our right to vote. Research from Protect Our Winters shows that making a plan to vote increases a person’s likelihood of actually voting by 10%.
As COVID-19 puts social distancing rules and limits on public gatherings, it’s even more important to think about how you plan to vote in 2020. Will you show up in person on election day? Would you rather request a mail-in ballot and vote from home? Will you drop off a mail-in ballot at your local election office? Every state’s election rules differ, so it’s important to understand how it works where you live.
Here at Burton we are putting our values into action and partnering with organizations who are making tremendous strides to turn out the vote.
Partnering with Protect Our Winters (POW). A non-profit founded by snowboard legend Jeremy Jones, POW helps passionate outdoor people protect the places and lifestyles they love from climate change. We’ve been working together since 2013 and we’ll be sharing their excellent resources like voting guides and the Make a Plan to Vote tool, where you can check your registration, request a mail-in ballot, and sign up for reminders.
Advocating for safe and secure elections. Voter turnout in the U.S. was one of the lowest in the developed world prior to COVID-19 and participation is particularly under threat this year. The pandemic continues to disrupt the primaries, disenfranchise voters, and damage trust in democracy. In response, a national network of more than 200 civic-minded businesses organized by Business for America is advocating for voter safety and election integrity in all communities. We're raising our voice on this issue because we believe no one should have to choose between risking their health and exercising their right to vote. Can you encourage your organization to join?
Powering and protecting the polls. As COVID-19 continues to impact Americans across the country, we are also seeing a staggering decrease in poll workers, which could mean closed polling places and long delays for elections in 2020. Burton is encouraging our community to consider working the polls this year. It’s not too late for you to participate – learn more at Power the Polls. We are also teaming up with Operation Vote Safe to donate PPE to state and county election officials in order to protect front-line poll workers. We have sent PPE to several polling stations in Georgia, California, Nevada, and Montana.
Time off to vote. Allowing our employees the time to vote is essential to Burton. Since 2018, we’ve provided employees with paid time off and flexible work schedules in order to participate in local, state/provincial, and national elections. For the 2020 US elections, we’re also completely closing down our offices and retail stores to reduce barriers for employees to vote.
Get Involved
Here are some things you can do to ensure you’re ready to vote.
Check your registration – Moved recently? Make sure you address is up-to-date. If you’re not registered, then what are you doing? Register!
Request a ballot - Skip the lines, vote early and from wherever you want. Send it back ASAP.
Review voter guides - Make sure you know where your candidates stand on important issues like climate change and social justice. POW Action Fund and the ACLU have compiled this info for you.
Don’t forget to vote – Election Day is November 3, 2020. Will you show up? The future of our country depends on it!
Now’s our chance to speak up for our community and our planet. Join us in the fight for our future - your vote is your voice on Election Day, don’t miss your chance to be heard.