Patagonia gives employees the day off to vote early for the planet

The company is also spotlighting the climate activism of Jane Fonda and the League of Conservation Voters.

Patagonia is closing its US stores today so that employees can cast their votes in the US election early – and with the planet in mind.
“As we face the devastating effects of climate change around the world and outside our front doors, I urge those in business leadership positions: Join the movement and give workers paid time off to cast their ballot,” CEO Ryan Gellert wrote in a LinkedIn post. 
Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have vastly different approaches to climate change – with the Democrat most often seen as the best choice for positive action. 
The US election is officially taking place on 5 November, but millions of Americans are casting their ballots already under the country’s early voting system – which varies by state. 
Vote Early Day was founded by MTV, the US TV channel owned by Paramount, in 2020. It is described as a ‘new civic holiday’ educating voters about their early voting rights. 
During the pandemic election which brought Biden to power, the initiative was intended to ensure no voter had to choose between their health and casting their ballot. 
Two members of Patagonia’s senior communications team are on the steering committee of Vote Early Day. 
“Employees in this country should not have to choose between their pay and their right to vote; our planet needs all the help it can get,” Gellert added to his post. 
The California-based outdoor clothing company has made a name for itself doing things a bit differently; putting its money where its mouth is on environmental issues.
Eschewing the fast fashion model, Patagonia has said it does not aim to sell as many products as possible. Two years ago, billionaire founder Yvon Chouinard made Earth the sole shareholder and beneficiary of any profits not reinvested back into the business.
Former Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton was among those praising Patagonia when it announced it would shut stores on 29 October – the first day of early voting in a number of states. 
“Great idea. I’d love to see more companies make it easier for their workers to vote early,” she posted on X in August.
Gellert’s LinkedIn post also garnered admiration from other green companies. 
“Inspiring move!” commented Rene Hansen, CEO at Swedish electric boating company X Shore. “Voting is a crucial way for each of us to contribute to the future we want to build.”
More than 43 million ballots have been cast across 47 states and the District of Colombia, according to a CNN report today. Its most recent national poll found that Harris had a large lead among early voters, despite a virtually tied race overall.
Patagonia’s website directs visitors to the League of Conservation Voters (LCV). This environmental advocacy group aims – among other things – to get climate-conscious politicians in power.
Its annual National Environmental Scorecard tracks the voting records of all members of Congress on environmental and climate legislation, so voters can see who they are choosing between.
American actress and activist Jane Fonda is also leading the charge to elect climate champions at all levels of government. 
Her political action group, Jane Fonda Climate PAC, aims to engage voters with down-ballot races because, she writes, “that’s where so much robust climate work is happening. City councils, boards of supervisors, county executives and mayors all play crucial roles here.”
At the federal level, Fonda is endorsing Harris, who has “used her time in elected office to hold polluters accountable and fight for our climate. 
“As California’s Attorney General, she investigated fossil fuel companies for faulty infrastructure maintenance, and as VP, she helped lead the strongest climate and environmental administration in recent history. As President, she can build on this work to lead the way to a liveable, clean energy future.”