At Cisco, we believe in the importance of civic engagement and democratic processes. We are committed to fostering a culture that respects and encourages the active involvement in civic duties, including voting. It's one of the many reasons why Cisco gives employees a paid day off to vote and why Cisco joined the Business for Voting Rights coalition—an effort that was focused on making fair and safe access to voting real for all. And with 2024 being a U.S. presidential election year, many voters have questions about how to ensure their vote is counted and their voice is heard. Cisco Legal VP Karla Haynes spearheaded a companywide effort to create opportunities for Cisco Legal to help citizens make their votes count.

Those groups include the nonpartisan Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL) which runs the election protection hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE. The hotline is staffed by volunteer attorneys, paralegals and law students across the U.S., like Haynes. “I’m serving as a captain on the hotline again this year and enabling other Cisco folks to work shifts individually or in groups,” she says, stressing that it’s a great pro bono opportunity, especially for paralegals and law students.

Haynes is also coordinating non-partisan letter-writing parties in Cisco offices. Letter writing campaigns provide vital information to voters who are most affected by new, restrictive laws. “We don’t talk about parties or candidates,” she explains. “The letters include information about how to register and Cisco participants include a note about why voting matters to us. It is a small, but impactful thing that’s doable and accessible to people.” Open to anyone at Cisco, these letter writing parties create opportunities for Cisconians to connect with each other, while supporting the right to vote.

Published October 2024