Patagonia Offers $100 Credit to Encourage Voting

Patagonia is launching an $11.2 million get-out-the-vote campaign that offers individuals a $100 credit to encourage three friends or family members to vote in the upcoming November election. This initiative is directly inspired by the statistic that an estimated 11.2 million environmental voters, defined as Americans who prioritize climate and environmental issues, do not vote. Corley Kenna, who leads Patagonia’s communications and policy team, stated that the company was surprised by this figure and believes they can help mobilize these environmentally conscious individuals to participate in an election where the state of the planet is perceived as critically dire. The campaign aims to leverage personal networks to increase voter turnout among those concerned with environmental health.

Interested participants can sign up starting September 26 through a platform called Relentless, which will be embedded on Patagonia's website. Upon entering the details of three individuals they wish to encourage to vote, the Relentless platform will generate a personalized voting plan based on each person's address. This plan will include crucial information such as polling locations, early voting or mail-in ballot options, and any necessary identification requirements. Participants can then share this information with their contacts via text or email. The incentive is triggered once the user confirms they have shared the voting plan, regardless of whether their referred friends ultimately cast a ballot. The incentive itself can be redeemed as a $100 credit for Patagonia products or as a $100 donation to the League of Conservation Voters.

This campaign aligns with Patagonia's long-standing commitment to environmental protection and civic engagement. The outdoor retailer has a history of encouraging voter participation that dates back to 1978, beginning with a local newspaper advertisement in Ventura, California, advocating for pro-environment candidates and ballot measures. In the context of the 2024 election, the company has previously reported success in mobilizing approximately 5,000 people to vote through earlier efforts. The current initiative represents a significant expansion of these efforts, utilizing a financial incentive and digital tools to address the identified gap in voter turnout among a key demographic of environmentally aware citizens. The company's investment of $11.2 million underscores the perceived urgency of environmental issues and the belief that electoral participation is a critical avenue for addressing them.