People and business have had to do a remarkable amount of adapting this year. Businesses have switched to near total online presences, people have been working from home and helping to teach their kids. In the case of the November election – with what promises to be a big turnout, businesses are stepping up to help the state run safe elections.
On Thursday, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced new companies working with the nonprofit GAVotingWorks to help protect poll workers across the state during election season. Home Depot will be providing Plexiglas dividers and Cox Enterprises and Roadie will pay for and deliver 20 absentee ballot drop boxes ahead of November.
“Georgia’s great corporations, like Home Depot, Cox Enterprises, and Roadie, serve as critical components not only of our state’s economy but also our state’s civil society, said Secretary Raffensperger. “I thank these two companies for helping keep our poll workers and voters safe, and for proving important partners in our efforts to uphold ballot access during this unprecedented pandemic.”
One of Georgia’s most well-known companies, Home Depot is indeed uniquely positioned to provide items like Plexiglas dividers. “We’re proud to deploy safety measures at polling places to protect voters and volunteers just as we have done in our stores for customers and associates,” said Heather Kennedy, vice president of government relations at The Home Depot. “It’s critical people feel safe casting their ballots in this election. In addition to providing associates voter education tools at www.HomeDepotVotes.com, we are sharing opportunities to volunteer as poll workers. We’re proud that over 1,800 associates have answered the call to serve in their communities.”
GAVotingWorks kicked off in September as a collaborative effort to address election needs. Participating Georgia companies in GaVotingWorks to date include AT&T, The Atlanta Hawks, The Coca-Cola Company, Cox Enterprises, Delta Airlines, Gas South, Home Depot, The Lola, Mercedes Benz USA, Parkmobile, Roadie and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.
Raffensperger addressed the first virtual meeting of the group and discussed immediate needs, including driving early voters, signing up technology support workers and securing the aforementioned Plexiglas dividers.
“This is not another non-profit,” said Jennifer Dorian, GAVotingWorks co-founder. “This is community organizing for the business sector. Participation is free and open to business leaders who want to use their influence for good and in service to our fellow citizens in this historic election.”
The partnership follows the recent announcements from State Farm Arena and the High Museum that they will be hosting early voting for Fulton County residents, starting October 12 and running through October 30. The sites will not be open for voting on actual Election Day of November 3. Each site will be open 8 am–6 pm Monday through Saturday and 10 am-6 pm on Sundays and free parking is available at both sites with your “I Voted” sticker. The Hawks will not be playing so there is not much to stick around for at State Farm Arena but the High is open so you could early vote and plan ahead to visit with your timed ticket once you have made your picks.
