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August 20, 2021

Economic and Fundamental Importance of Voting Rights

While small-cap stocks were hard hit during the first half of 2022, August’s earnings season revealed a bounce back for the asset class. What does this mean for Trillium’s ESG Small/Mid Cap Core Portfolio?

Economic and Fundamental Importance of Voting RightsEconomic and Fundamental Importance of Voting Rights

Dear U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Members of Congress,

A strong democracy is not only vital for America’s moral fabric, but also for our economic future.

Democratically accountable governments provide a level playing field for all market participants and ensure competition, as well as help protect businesses from fraud and deception. Without equal enfranchisement at the ballot box, the American dream of big ideas which become thriving enterprises and result in social mobility, greater opportunities, and a better life for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren is nothing more than a dream.

As Richard Doner, Professor Emeritus at Emory University, declares, “unequal voting means unequal opportunities and a smaller middle class,” a result which would unequivocally chill economic activity. A smaller middle class reduces market demand, decreases earnings potential, and undermines confidence in capitalism. Currently, there are approximately 400 proposed state bills that would seek to constrain access to the polls, particularly for working-class Americans and Americans of color, that carry with them significant risk for business. Should these bills become law, we face a grave threat to long-term economic growth.

While asset management firms have historically chosen a bottom-line approach to business, Trillium Asset Management has shown that a values-based approach can result in financial success. And we’re not alone. A 2016 University of Gothenburg study found that strong voter participation, combined with other elements of a healthy democracy, are correlated to positive stock market returns. Because of the clear business case for strong democratic institutions, we urged large employers like Apple, Bank of America, and PNC to provide paid time off for their nearly 400,000 U.S. employees to vote in the 2020 election. Indeed, more and more companies have realized that providing paid time off to vote leads to greater employee engagement, worker retention and recruitment, and brand value. It has become a business imperative.

Alongside these powerful business imperatives, we also know that actively supporting the right to vote is unquestionably the right and just thing to do. We firmly believe that regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or language, one thing is clear: we all value the right to vote and believe that all eligible Americans should have access to this fundamental right. That’s why we must take action now to make the promise of democracy real – to ensure that the people of this nation can fairly and freely choose their representatives and have their voices heard.

As investors, we understand this inherent link between a strong democracy and a healthy economy, and that the foundation of a strong democracy is voter participation. That is why we are calling on Congress to introduce and pass legislation, like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Congress has no greater responsibility than to work together to secure our democratic institutions, to defend American values, and to pass a bill that protects the right to vote for all eligible Americans. The strength of our economy and the promise of the American dream depend on it.

See it on MarketWatch.com https://www.marketwatch.com/story/protecting-voting-rights-isnt-just-the-right-thing-to-do-its-also-good-for-business-11629475745

Democratically accountable governments provide a level playing field for all market participants and ensure competition, as well as help protect businesses from fraud and deception. Without equal enfranchisement at the ballot box, the American dream of big ideas which become thriving enterprises and result in social mobility, greater opportunities, and a better life for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren is nothing more than a dream.

As Richard Doner, Professor Emeritus at Emory University, declares, “unequal voting means unequal opportunities and a smaller middle class,” a result which would unequivocally chill economic activity. A smaller middle class reduces market demand, decreases earnings potential, and undermines confidence in capitalism. Currently, there are approximately 400 proposed state bills that would seek to constrain access to the polls, particularly for working-class Americans and Americans of color, that carry with them significant risk for business. Should these bills become law, we face a grave threat to long-term economic growth.

While asset management firms have historically chosen a bottom-line approach to business, Trillium Asset Management has shown that a values-based approach can result in financial success. And we’re not alone. A 2016 University of Gothenburg study found that strong voter participation, combined with other elements of a healthy democracy, are correlated to positive stock market returns. Because of the clear business case for strong democratic institutions, we urged large employers like Apple, Bank of America, and PNC to provide paid time off for their nearly 400,000 U.S. employees to vote in the 2020 election. Indeed, more and more companies have realized that providing paid time off to vote leads to greater employee engagement, worker retention and recruitment, and brand value. It has become a business imperative.

Alongside these powerful business imperatives, we also know that actively supporting the right to vote is unquestionably the right and just thing to do. We firmly believe that regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or language, one thing is clear: we all value the right to vote and believe that all eligible Americans should have access to this fundamental right. That’s why we must take action now to make the promise of democracy real – to ensure that the people of this nation can fairly and freely choose their representatives and have their voices heard.

As investors, we understand this inherent link between a strong democracy and a healthy economy, and that the foundation of a strong democracy is voter participation. That is why we are calling on Congress to introduce and pass legislation, like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Congress has no greater responsibility than to work together to secure our democratic institutions, to defend American values, and to pass a bill that protects the right to vote for all eligible Americans. The strength of our economy and the promise of the American dream depend on it.

See it on MarketWatch.com https://www.marketwatch.com/story/protecting-voting-rights-isnt-just-the-right-thing-to-do-its-also-good-for-business-11629475745

Read more (PDF)

Democratically accountable governments provide a level playing field for all market participants and ensure competition, as well as help protect businesses from fraud and deception. Without equal enfranchisement at the ballot box, the American dream of big ideas which become thriving enterprises and result in social mobility, greater opportunities, and a better life for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren is nothing more than a dream.

As Richard Doner, Professor Emeritus at Emory University, declares, “unequal voting means unequal opportunities and a smaller middle class,” a result which would unequivocally chill economic activity. A smaller middle class reduces market demand, decreases earnings potential, and undermines confidence in capitalism. Currently, there are approximately 400 proposed state bills that would seek to constrain access to the polls, particularly for working-class Americans and Americans of color, that carry with them significant risk for business. Should these bills become law, we face a grave threat to long-term economic growth.

While asset management firms have historically chosen a bottom-line approach to business, Trillium Asset Management has shown that a values-based approach can result in financial success. And we’re not alone. A 2016 University of Gothenburg study found that strong voter participation, combined with other elements of a healthy democracy, are correlated to positive stock market returns. Because of the clear business case for strong democratic institutions, we urged large employers like Apple, Bank of America, and PNC to provide paid time off for their nearly 400,000 U.S. employees to vote in the 2020 election. Indeed, more and more companies have realized that providing paid time off to vote leads to greater employee engagement, worker retention and recruitment, and brand value. It has become a business imperative.

Alongside these powerful business imperatives, we also know that actively supporting the right to vote is unquestionably the right and just thing to do. We firmly believe that regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or language, one thing is clear: we all value the right to vote and believe that all eligible Americans should have access to this fundamental right. That’s why we must take action now to make the promise of democracy real – to ensure that the people of this nation can fairly and freely choose their representatives and have their voices heard.

As investors, we understand this inherent link between a strong democracy and a healthy economy, and that the foundation of a strong democracy is voter participation. That is why we are calling on Congress to introduce and pass legislation, like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Congress has no greater responsibility than to work together to secure our democratic institutions, to defend American values, and to pass a bill that protects the right to vote for all eligible Americans. The strength of our economy and the promise of the American dream depend on it.

See it on MarketWatch.com https://www.marketwatch.com/story/protecting-voting-rights-isnt-just-the-right-thing-to-do-its-also-good-for-business-11629475745

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Economic and Fundamental Importance of Voting Rights
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The views expressed are those of the authors and Trillium Asset Management, LLC as of the date referenced and are subject to change at any time based on market or other conditions. These views are not intended to be a forecast of future events or a guarantee of future results. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice. The information provided in this material should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. It should not be assumed that investments in such securities have been or will be profitable. To the extent specific securities are mentioned, they have been selected by the authors on an objective basis to illustrate views expressed in the commentary and do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold or recommended for advisory clients. The information contained herein has been prepared from sources believed reliable but is not guaranteed by us as to its timeliness or accuracy, and is not a complete summary or statement of all available data. This piece is for informational purposes only. This is not a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. It should not be assumed that investments in such securities have been or will be profitable. The specific securities were selected on an objective basis and do not represent all of the securities purchased, sold or recommended for advisory clients.

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