Nordstrom Giving Employees a Civics Lesson

Nordstrom is joining other retailers in launching voter awareness projects, but is going one step further by making Election Day a holiday for employees. 

The company is making Nov. 3 a holiday for all employees and will work with employees to set schedules that will enable them to get to the polls. Stores and operations centers will remain open on that day.

"We believe every voice matters and our country is stronger when we all participate in the democratic process," said Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer.  "This initiative is a direct result of feedback we heard from more than 50,000 Nordstrom employees from all regions of the U.S. They told us they want to be actively engaged in their communities and help find solutions to the challenges we're facing. Enabling them to make their voices heard by voting is a meaningful and productive way we can support our people and our communities."

The move by Nordstrom comes as many and more retailers are taking bolder stands on political issues of racial equity, civil justice and worker rights.

The holiday is part of the company's Make Your Voice Heard campaign, a nationwide non-partisan voter participation initiative. In partnership with nonprofits When We All Vote and the National Urban League, Nordstrom says it aims to educate, inspire and make it easy for Nordstrom employees and customers to make their voice heard – both through responding to the 2020 Census and by voting in upcoming primaries and elections.

Another way Nordstrom is supporting employees to participate in the voting process is by partnering with Civic Alliance to connect employees to volunteer opportunities. Nordstrom will also provide its store, fulfillment center, distribution center and call center employees discounted rides to the polls through Lyft. 

Nordstrom is also introducing an exclusive collection of Nordstrom Made "VOTE" apparel for all ages to celebrate voters' rights. The styles include T-shirts and sweatshirts featuring VOTE graphics priced from $19 to $60; a portion of every Nordstrom Made VOTE purchase will be donated to When We All Vote and the National Urban League. 

Nordstrom operates 355 stores in 40 states, including 100 full-line stores in the United States and Canada; 248 Nordstrom Rack stores; two clearance stores; and five Nordstrom Local service hubs.