Cherry Republic opens late on Election Day to encourage employees to vote

Photo by Taro Yamasaki

From staff reports

If you stop by one of Cherry Republic’s six Michigan stores on Tuesday morning, don’t be surprise to see a “Gone Voting” sign on the front door.

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, all Cherry Republic stores and offices throughout the state will open at 10 a.m.—an hour later than usual—to give staff a chance to exercise their civic duty before reporting to work.

“Weekday mornings are busy enough without having to squeeze in a trip to the polls before work, so we thought why not make the process a bit more convenient for our employees?” said Cherry Republic president Bob Sutherland. “This way everyone can have ample time to cast their votes.”

Sutherland, who is on the board of directors for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, has been a vocal supporter of candidates in favor of shutting down the Line 5 pipeline that runs under the Straits of Mackinac. He points out that the upcoming election is of special importance to those who are passionate about Michigan’s natural resources, as he is.

“There has been a lot of talk about this midterm election as one of the most important in our history for our water, for our climate, and for our wilderness lands,” he said. “I believe each citizen has a responsibility to vote for the candidates who best represent their values. Taking time to vote shouldn’t feel like a hassle, it should feel like a privilege—because it is.”