Fashion brands encourage Americans to vote on election day

All eyes are on America today for the midterm elections. It is two years after Donald Trump was voted into office and there are 435 House of Representative seats and 33 Senate seats up for grabs to determine which party will control each chamber of Congress. The results of today’s election will determine the level of checks and balances there will be against President Trump for the next two years.

Everyone has seemed to have a strong opinion about U.S. politics over the last two years, yet in the lead-up to this election, one opinion has been the loudest: everyone needs to vote. Today’s consumerhas more faith in private brands than in government, and brands of all industries have been encouraging American consumers to vote. Uber and Lyft are respectively offering 10 dollars off and 50 percent off transportation to polls today. While transportation companies are able to incite practicality, fashion brands have turned to different motivational tactics.

Modcloth

Modcloth has shut down its ecommerce site today, as well as its FitShop stores in Austin, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. While this move could likely impact sales negatively, the retailer has chosen to halt operations as a way to encourage its employees to vote, but also to prevent distracting its customers from voting. Its homepage link redirects to a message that reads: “We’re closed today to vote. Our site and stores are closed to encourage our employees and community to vote.”

Levi’s

Denim brand Levi’s has partnered with the Time to Vote movement to allow its employees time off to go to the polls. The brand helped its employees register to vote ahead of the election as well. For its shoppers, Levi’s offers a “Vote” T-shirt for 25 dollars to support the Rock the Vote organization.

Patagonia

Patagonia is closing all stores, its Nevada distribution center and its California headquarters to ensure all of its employees can vote today. The politically active brand has also teamed with Time to Vote. "Our democracy simply works better when people go vote," said Patagonia CEO Rose Marcario in a statement. "Demonstrating your company’s commitment to voting reinforces the idea that American businesses can protect our democracy."

New Balance

New Balance has partnered with website Betches to launch a campaign to entice young voters by making the democratic system fun. The collaborative effort put together a social media campaign leading up to election day, using the athletic wear brand’s “Fearlessly Independent” ethos. The partnership is also helping New York City residents go out to vote by sending a branded party bus around the city to pick up voters and drop them at polling locations.

Rachel Comey

Fashion designer Rachel Comey invited voters to meet outside of her Soho store in New York yesterday to board a bus and canvas swing districts. Comey teamed up with SwingLeft and Downtown for Democracy as well, in the hopes of pushing those undecided to vote democrat.

Nordstrom

While department store chain Nordstrom is keeping stores open today, it is offering its employees flexible scheduling to allow them to make it to the polls.

J.Crew

J.Crew is rewarding its voting shoppers. The brand announced via social media that it will offer 20 percent off a purchase made in store to customers who bring with them an “I Voted” sticker.

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