BOSTON/NEW YORK ¨C A push to attract young and diverse talent and global consumers is behind some of corporate America¡¯s willingness to speak out on politically charged issues like Georgia¡¯s new voting law, executives and corporate governance experts have said.
Georgia¡¯s decision last month to strengthen identification requirements for absentee ballots and make it a misdemeanor to offer food and water to voters waiting in line, among other changes, drew condemnation from many U.S. companies this week, including Microsoft Corp. and Citigroup.
A number of companies say it disenfranchises some voters. Some, such as Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola Co., are based in Georgia, where state lawmakers have the power to raise state taxes. Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a public memo that his decision to speak out was informed by discussions with leaders and employees in the Black community.
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