In 1864, our founder Levi Strauss closed the company’s doors on Election Day so employees would have time to vote. It was a small act with a lasting message: civic participation matters to Levi Strauss & Co. because it makes for a stronger country, stronger communities and a stronger company.
More than 160 years later, that belief still shapes how we show up during election season in the U.S., consistently working to reduce obstacles to civic engagement and helping ensure that eligible voters can make their voices heard at the ballot box.
We’re continuing that tradition this year through the same nonpartisan approach that’s defined our civic engagement work for years. LS&Co. and the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF) are granting nearly $3 million to nonprofit organizations supporting voter participation, civic dialogue and access to trusted nonpartisan election information.
Here’s how that’s showing up this fall for employees, consumers and communities:
- Creating space for real conversation. LS&Co. and LSF are partnering with organizations including The Conversationalist, LIVE FREE and Everyday Democracy on dozens of gatherings nationwide to help people across generations find common ground. Through our Common Threads dinner series toolkit and Everyday Democracy’s Community Gathering Guide, anyone can access the tools to have these conversations in their communities.
- Bringing art and action to community college campuses. Community college students make up roughly one-third of all U.S. undergraduates but have historically voted at lower rates than students at four-year schools. Through our continued focus on closing that gap, including the Community College Commitment and our longstanding partnership with Students Learn Students Vote, we’re helping campuses strengthen civic engagement and connect students with nonpartisan voter information and resources, building on significant growth in campus civic participation in recent years. This fall, that work includes voter engagement activities at 30 community college campuses. LSF is also partnering with National Voter Registration Day and LA street artist Corie Mattie (a.k.a. “LA Hope Dealer”) on Project HOPE, a public art initiative bringing civic-themed art installations to 15 of those community college campuses nationwide.
- Making voting easier, everywhere we can. Through our partnership with HeadCount, employees, fans and community members can access trusted, nonpartisan voter information, check their registration status and make a plan to vote. Check out our Levi’s® x HeadCount site to learn more — it’s nonpartisan, judgment-free and available whether you’re at your desk or shopping in one of our retail stores. You can also pick up your free, limited-edition Levi’s® x HeadCount VOTE button at any of our retail stores starting on National Voter Registration Day on September 15 while supplies last.
Taken together, these efforts reflect the breadth of our commitment across campuses, communities and conversations — helping individuals access trusted information, participate in the democratic process and connect with one another.
“Democracy works best when everyone has the chance to participate,” said Anna Walker, VP of Public Affairs at LS&Co. “That belief is reflected in how we’re showing up this year — creating space for conversation, helping people register and showing up in the communities where we live and work. We want people to have every opportunity to make their voice heard, however they choose to use it.”
