Fortune Magazine: Supporting Democracy Is Not A Partisan Issue–It’s What All Americans Expect Of Business Ahead Of The 2024 Election

September 18, 2023

By Daniella Ballou-Aares, Rhett Buttle, and Samantha Tweedy

Protecting and strengthening our democracy requires year-round engagement. The fault lines in our democratic system aren’t just around electoral cycles–they’re every day that a state legislature works to roll back voting rights or the judiciary enables anti-democratic gerrymandering. As we approach the 2024 election, business leaders have a critical role to play in standing up for our democracy.


A well-functioning democracy is the cornerstone of a strong economy. However, growing and well-documented threats to our democracy are now creating a business environment marked by new risks–including restricted speech, retribution, and legal confusion.


It’s clear that corporate leaders are invested in our democratic future. Research from the Business & Democracy Initiative found that 96% of business leaders say the existence of a well-functioning democracy is important to a strong economy. Independent judiciaries and transparent legal systems provide vital stability and predictability for businesses, promoting competition and ensuring businesses operate on a level playing field. Freedom of speech and expression allows businesses to challenge the status quo, resulting in innovations that benefit consumers, drive economic growth, and promote job creation.


Another Jan. 6 must and can be prevented. Business leaders have the power to help uphold our democracy heading into 2024–and there are concrete steps they can and should take. Our power is grounded in the unique relationship of trust that we have with employees, customers, communities, and the American people at large. According to Edelman’s 2023 Trust Barometer, business is the world’s most trusted sector, and Gallup recently found that small business is the most trusted sector in the United States.


As we approach the 2024 elections, this trust makes business a critical conduit for delivering trustworthy information to employees and consumers. Business leaders can raise awareness about election risks with their employees and emphasize the importance of voting and civic engagement.


Employees have a strong desire to support democratic integrity. In response, it’s becoming the new norm to offer paid time off for employees to vote. Many companies are going beyond that crucial step to allow employees time to work polling places. And companies may be rewarded for this level of engagement, with nearly half (48%) of consumers saying they are more likely to buy a good or service from a business that allows employees to take time off from work to engage in the political process.


We can also use our trusted voices to support pro-democracy legislation at the state and federal levels. Business leaders were a key part of the coalition that came together to support the Electoral Count Reform Act, a key piece of legislation that slammed the door on a vulnerability in our democratic system that was weaponized in an attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Heading into 2024, there are other pro-democracy legislative efforts to protect voting rights and secure election infrastructure that business leaders can support, particularly at the state level.


Political giving is one of the most powerful levers that business leaders can use in supporting pro-democracy interests. In our electoral system, businesses and their employees are the biggest contributors to political candidates, PACs, and parties–and they must ensure their contributions are flowing to campaigns and causes that align with pro-democracy values.


Finally, business leaders can support accurate and open elections by providing resources and in-kind support for election administration and security infrastructure, including funding for election system stress tests, tech upgrades, and training.


The integrity of our democracy is not a partisan issue. A vibrant civil society and a well-functioning democracy ensure a wide range of perspectives from across the political spectrum are robustly represented. By opposing efforts that undermine democracy, business leaders will be standing for the rights of all people, of any party.

WANTING MORE NEWS? SIGNUP TODAY

Contact Us

Rhett Buttle on Forbes Breaking News: This Is How Uncertainty From Trump's Tariffs Could Impact Small Businesses: CEO

April 8, 2025
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Forbes Breaking News to discuss the impacts that President Trump's tariff policies will have on small businesses. Watch the full interview here or below.

Rhett Buttle joins Rahel Solomon on CNN to talk trade policy

April 3, 2025
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Rahel Solomon on CNN to talk about trade policy and the impact of tariffs on small businesses. Watch the full interview here or below.

Rhett Buttle on Fox Live Now: What will a Trump economy look like?

December 13, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Fox Live Now to talk about the state of the economy and the outlook for 2024. Watch the full interview here or below.

Scripss News: Small business owners facing 'double whammy' amid Hurricane Helene cleanup

October 7, 2024
*This article was written by Scripps News Staff. President Joe Biden announced that the government will cover 100% of Hurricane Helene cleanup costs for the next several months to pay for the urgent work to clear the mud, remove downed trees and provide temporary housing. The federal support comes as residents in multiple Southeastern states are still struggling to return to normal following last week’s storm that killed over 200 people. Katie Vlietstra Wonnenberg, a small business advocate and political strategist, said it is going to take a significant amount of time to finish the cleanup, no matter how hard the federal government works. Read the entire piece on Scripps News.

Readout: Business & Democracy Lunch in Phoenix

October 1, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .

Rhett Buttle Joins LiveNOW from FOX to talk Night 3 of the DNC

August 21, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 3 of the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Buttle Joins LiveNOW from FOX to talk Night 2 of the DNC

August 20, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined LiveNOW Fox to talk about Night 2 of the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Buttle Joins Scripps News to Talk DNC Night 1

August 19, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss Night 1 of the Democratic National Convention.

Rhett Buttle Joins Scripps News to Discuss What a Harris Presidency Could Mean For Small Business

August 15, 2024
Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, joined Scripps News to discuss what a Kamala Harris Presidency could mean for small businesses. Watch the interview below

As Small Business Boom Continues, Rhett Buttle Remarks on Two-Year Anniversary of CHIPS & Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act

August 9, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This month marks the anniversary of two pivotal pieces of legislation that are helping fuel a small business boom, the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past four years, there has been a historic growth of American entrepreneurship across the country, with over 18 million new business applications filed, each one an act of hope and optimism in our economic future. This small business boom is fueled by investments like the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS & Science Act. Rhett Buttle, Founder and CEO of Public Private Strategies, released the following statement: “As we mark the two-year anniversaries of the CHIPS & Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, the positive impact across the business landscape, and particularly for entrepreneurs, is unmistakable. The CHIPS & Science Act is fueling entrepreneurship opportunities by dedicating over $50 million to help develop new ideas and technologies to strengthen domestic semiconductor production and supply chain. “The Inflation Reduction Act has helped lower costs for workers and consumers, driving up demand for small businesses across the country. The healthcare provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act alone are saving millions Americans an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums. These investments have helped fuel America’s small business boom, including a record 18 million new small business applications filed over the past four years. “We have more work to do to address the issues that business owners have consistently said are their top priorities, from lowering health care and prescription drug costs to expanding and streamlining contracting opportunities for small employers to strengthening and protecting American democracy . We remained committed to working with business leaders to address these challenges and ensure these investments are implemented effectively to grow economies and support communities all across the country.” ### About Rhett Buttle Founder & CEO, Public Private Strategies President, Public Private Strategies Institute Senior Fellow, The Aspen Institute Rhett Buttle is an entrepreneur, advocate, and one of the most trusted leaders at the intersection of business and policy in Washington, DC. He has worked for President Biden, Vice President Harris, President Barack Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in government and campaign roles. Rhett is the founder of Public Private Strategies (PPS) and President of the Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI), which works to bring together the public and private sectors to build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive policy and market outcomes. In these roles, he advises leading policy makers, foundations, nonprofits, and corporations. In addition to PPS and PPSI, he has helped found the Small Business Roundtable, Small Business for America’s Future, and the Next Gen Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a regular contributor to Forbes, where he writes on the intersection of business, policy, and politics. Rhett has also been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Wall Street Journal, and several other business publications. About Public Private Strategies Public Private Strategies (PPS) creates opportunities where the public and private sectors meet. We bring together diverse allies including foundations, associations, corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to solve pressing societal challenges. By harnessing the power of the private sector, we build coalitions, activate campaigns, and create strategic partnerships to drive desired policy and market outcomes. Learn more at www.publicprivatestrategies.com .
More Posts