With voter registration at an all-time low, hundreds of U.S. companies are stepping up to help the get-out-the vote effort by giving employees paid time off to cast their ballots in the November 3rd presidential elections.  

Learn More: Not Registered to Vote? We Can Help!

Verizon is the latest corporation to join Global Citizen’s “Just Vote” campaign, alongside Cisco and Procter & Gamble, as Campaign Partners.* Just Vote, in partnership with HeadCount, aims to engage at least 1 million voters and get 50,000 young people registered before November’s election.

The three companies are giving all of their employees time off to vote and volunteer at the polls, promoting voting across their social media platforms, and in so doing, serving as an example to other companies to similarly give their employees the time and resources to fulfill their civic duty. 

In an open letter appearing on the Just Vote website, corporate leaders from Global Citizen’s partner companies pledged their commitments to encouraging civic participation among employees. “We believe that voting is a cornerstone of democracy and a fundamental right for Americans, and we want to be sure that every eligible voter’s voice is heard in our mid-term and general elections,” the pledge reads. “In the 2016 General Election, 100 million eligible Americans did not vote — but as leaders in business, education, and the nonprofit sector, we have the power and the responsibility to change this simply by encouraging our employees to participate in their civic duty.”

Take Action: Check Your Voter Registration Status With 'Just Vote' Here

In addition to encouraging corporations, organizations, and institutions to give their employees time off to vote, Just Vote also is offering exclusive rewards from celebrities, including artists and actors like Usher, Julianne Hough, DJ Khaled, Taylor Swift, Shawn Mendes, and more, to Global Citizens who check their voter registration status.

As part of Verizon’s announcement to their employees, the company led a special segment on Thursday, where human resources executives, Gen Z ambassadors, and others had a dynamic conversation on the importance of voting. 

“[Voting] is such a privilege and a tool that can drive a lot of change,” said Chloe Mason, one of Verizon’s Gen Z representatives who appeared on Thursday’s fireside chat. “When you voice your concerns and you refuse to be a bystander, then you actually spark change, and that’s one of the best things you can do in this world.”

Starting as early as the beginning of this year, U.S.-based companies have been using their platforms to inspire civic engagement among their employees and their large audiences. Big brands like Target, Levis, Starbucks, and more have made headlines for their creative get-out-the-vote pushes. 

As partners of “Just Vote,” Verizon, Procter & Gamble, and Cisco have joined this movement, notably to reach Global Citizen and Headcount’s following of young eligible voters, a demographic that will be extremely influential in this election cycle. 

The Wallace Global Fund has also contributed resources to support “Just Vote” campaign efforts. As part of the campaign, these partners, as well as The Coca-Cola Company, Delta Air Lines, Twitter, AEG Presents, Chobani, Lyft, Tony’s Chocolonely and others, are supporting their employees' participation in the voting process, including providing them with educational resources and time off.

To learn more about Global Citizen’s “Just Vote” partners, click here. 

*This information is being provided without regard to political preference and is not being offered or withheld based on support for or opposition to particular candidates or a particular political party.

Global Citizen and HeadCount have teamed up to launch Just Vote, a campaign mobilizing young Americans to register to vote ahead of the 2020 election and beyond. As part of the campaign, your favorite artists and entertainers are offering exclusive experiences, performances, and memorabilia — and they can only be unlocked once eligible voters check their voter registration status. Learn more about Just Vote and how you can take action here.