Patagonia to closes all stores on Election Day

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Oct 29, 2016

Patagonia wants its customers to go out and vote. The outdoor apparel company announced on Friday that it will close all of its stores on Election Day, November 8, to encourage customers, employees and citizens to vote. 

 
The California-based company has urged citizens to go out and vote since 2004. The company conducted non-partisan environmental campaigns during the election seasons, and in September 2016, it kicked off the Vote Our Planet campaign focused on educating citizens on how to use their vote to protect Earth and the health and well being of American families.
 
"During a time of catastrophic environmental crisis, when America needs strong leadership to confront the fundamental threat of climate change, voter turnout threatens to reach historic lows as people are turned off by the ugliness of politics," said Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario. "As a business, we have a unique ability to take a stand and choose to prioritize the health of the planet over profit, and I think it's important we take that opportunity when it truly matters. We want to do everything possible to empower citizens to make their voices heard and elect candidates up and down the ballot who will protect our planet."

By Election Day, Patagonia will have hosted 60 events at its 29 stores across the US and committed more than $1 million. The company also launched a website containing voter education resources and released videos about local communities devastated by environmental issues.