At this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was joined by Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah and other Michigan business leaders to launch a new collaboration supporting our state’s safe and secure elections.

Michigan Business United for Elections is a nonpartisan, diverse coalition of business leaders from all over the state committed to engaging and informing Michigan voters in the 2024 election cycle.

“I’m proud to announce a partnership with the Detroit Regional Chamber, rallying business leaders as trusted voices to make sure Michigan voters can easily vote and have confidence in our elections in 2024," Secretary Benson said. “A civically engaged business community is the key to a strong and healthy democracy. And a strong, healthy democracy is necessary for a thriving economy, like the one we’re growing in Michigan today and building for the future. Today is just the beginning -- we’re inviting all Michigan business leaders to step up and join us.”

Voter participation in our past two elections has been strong – Michiganders are engaged and using their voting rights to make their voices heard. The Michigan Department of State is working to engage civic stakeholders across all sectors including business, faith leaders, community organizations and educational institutions.

Michigan Business United for Elections partners have committed to three things in 2024:

• Ensure employees have time off to vote during the early voting period or on Election Day;
• Promote nonpartisan voter education information, including how to register, and the options Michigan voters have to cast ballots;

• Encourage employees to serve as poll workers during the August Primary Election and November General Election.

“The stability of our society and the strength of our democracy is necessary for businesses and their employees to thrive, regardless of whom they vote for,” said Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “The Chamber has been a staunch defender of democracy and is proud to partner with Secretary of State Benson on this initiative.”

A common barrier for voters casting their ballots in-person or returning absentee ballots is getting time away from their jobs. There is no federal law that requires voters be provided time off to cast their ballot, so that policy choice is left up to the states. Policymakers have taken two approaches to solve this issue: making Election Day a public holiday or requiring employers to provide paid time off for voting.

Currently, there are only five states that have designated Election Day as a public holiday and also require employers to provide paid time off for voting.

Michigan is one of nine states to observe Election Day as a public holiday, but these states do not require employers to provide paid time off for voting.

Of the remaining 36 states, 17 do require employers to provide paid time off for voting but do not have Election Day as a public holiday.

Secretary Benson said her office is also working to include workers employed by national chains such as McDonald's to ensure that workers who typically are paid only a minimum wage also have paid time off to participate in the election.

The Michigan Business United for Elections coalition members invite all Michigan business leaders to join this effort  to support safe and secure elections across our state. Learn more at Michigan.gov/Biz4Elections.