Shape the Future: Exercise Your Right to Vote

My older daughter is eligible to vote in a U.S. presidential election for the first time.

Here’s the most important piece of advice I’ve given her this year: Vote. Make it count. And make sure all of your friends vote, too.

In his last words, published following his death this July, the legendary Rep. John Lewis said, “The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society.” He and so many throughout history marched and bled so future generations could make their voices heard. To honor their bravery and persistence for justice, we must exercise our responsibility as citizens. They struggled so the United States would better live up to its democratic ideals. Democracy is not for spectators; we must vote to carry on and preserve these ideals.

I am inspired by people today – spanning ages and backgrounds – who are demonstrating their own resilience and resolve to shape a better future. Even in the face of the dual, unforgiving pandemics of COVID-19 and racism, today’s generations are picking up the mantle. When they see centuries-long injustice, they protest and organize to rise up to say “Black Lives Matter.” When they see gunmen murder people in schools, churches, concerts and neighborhoods, they march for their lives. When they see inaction on the global climate crisis, millions of activists take to the streets all around the world – from Berlin to Manila, Nairobi to Washington, D.C. – to demand a safer, more sustainable way of life.

For those of us who live in the U.S., the next step in this journey is our election in November. It is always important to vote, but especially this election when so much of our future is on the line.

When the pandemic threatened internship and learning opportunities this year, WPP launched the NextGen Leaders virtual learning series – the first of its kind in our industry to open source our collective strategy. We offered opportunities grow for a diverse group of more than 800 young people who represented 54 countries and 310 colleges. When I met with these future leaders, I shared with them what I share with my daughters: We have the power to help us realize a safer, stronger world, one that is more just. We cannot allow fear to divide us or stop us. That means we must make our voices heard.

The pandemic presents novel challenges to voting this year, in addition to the obstacles that people of color have faced at the ballot for far too long. Not only do we need to vote, we need to have a plan to vote.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization When We All Vote offers tools and resources I have found especially helpful. Take a look at the checklist and follow these steps:

• Register to Vote: check the deadlines and take the first step to make your voice heard.
• Pledge to be a voter: say you’ll vote in every election and help three friends do the same.
• Check your status: make sure you’re registered to vote.
• Request a ballot: the organization can help you vote by mail in your state.

At WPP, we believe every employee should be given time to vote on Election Day, however they choose. That is why our leaders will provide flexibility to employees on Election Day in order to exercise their right to vote. WPP has also joined the Time to Vote nonpartisan, business-led initiative to help ensure employees across America don't have to choose between voting and earning a paycheck.

When my daughter and I cast our ballots this year – 100 years after the passage of the 19th Amendment and 55 years after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 – we will remember Rep. Lewis’ final words.