Plus: The future of education, taking action against climate change, and more.
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Voting station in California
How Companies Can Help America Vote
Businesses have always played a part in encouraging participation in U.S. elections. In 2020, they are needed more than ever. This year, it's not only about the right to vote, or about building trust with business stakeholders, or even about racial justice-though businesses should commit to all of those goals-it's also about keeping people healthy in the midst of a pandemic.

The COVID-19 crisis presents local and state election officials with unprecedented challenges. This is why Business for America, a co-author of a new issue brief with the Center for American Progress, is launching Operation Vote Safe (OVS), an effort to mobilize a national network of civic-minded businesses to provide assistance to election officials in their communities. OVS aims to make sure that no one has to put their health at risk while voting and to eliminate any question about the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

Companies can participate by connecting with OVS online-and by reviewing the menu of ideas in this brief and committing to help with this fall's election. Whatever they do to help, they must do it quickly: Election Day is 53 days away.

More than ever, individuals have a bigger role to play, too. Visit WhenWeAllVote.org to register to vote, learn about requesting a mail-in ballot, volunteer, and more.
Meet CAP's Thought Leaders

Sam Berger, CAP VP of Democracy and Government Reform Program

Sam Berger
@SamBerger_DC
Democracy and Government Reform

"Our current political system is broken: Too frequently, it benefits the wealthy and well-connected at the expense of everyone else. That's why we need to make sure the rules that dictate who has the power and how they use it create a system that works for everyone."

Recent work from Sam Berger:
How a Future President Can Hold the Trump Administration Accountable

Instagram icon Follow American Progress on Instagram for more thought leaders.

In the Spotlight
The Future of Education
Go to WeBuildEDU
This September, the coronavirus pandemic and the current fight for racial justice are still top of mind—especially for families with students going back to school and educators who work with students every day.

As we decide how to design schools that will serve all students equitably in a world deeply affected by COVID-19, we must listen to educators who are on the front lines. A new project from CAP and EduColor, #WeBuildEDU, aims to do just that.

Black, Indigenous, and non-Black (BIPOC) educators of color in particular have valuable perspectives to share when it comes to refocusing our education on equity and support for our nation's most vulnerable students.

If you know any BIPOC educators, feel free to share this link with them so they can submit their story to #WeBuildEDU.

Or, if you don't know any BIPOC educators, act now to tell elected officials to take these stories into consideration as they work to rebuild our education system.

Major Stories This Week

Workers install solar panels in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2016-the 1 millionth such installation in the United States in the past 40 years.
Forest Fires and Flash Floods
The already detrimental and deadly consequences of more extreme weather events, flooding, sea level rise, and other impacts fueled by climate change are highly likely to escalate as global temperatures continue to increase. Here's how one state is taking action.

A person stands alone in front of a closed middle school in Philadelphia
Mental Health x COVID-19
COVID-19 has exposed the disparities in the U.S. mental health system, leaving many Americans without accessible and affordable care as policymakers fail to adequately address the crisis. Here are four immediate actions for local, state, and federal governments to take.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) approaches the microphones, September 2020
You Can't Afford This
You can't afford to live anywhere in the United States solely on unemployment insurance. Check to see how big the shortfall is for your state and county.

The announcement of the results of the 2020 Belarusian presidential election has sparked mass protests in Minsk and major cities across Belarus, August 2020
The Power of Democracy in Belarus
With Belarus at a democratic crossroads, the United States and Europe must stand in support of the democratic aspirations of the Belarusian people.
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