Major US corporations fund state groups that oppose Voting Rights Act despite earlier support

Research from the nonpartisan Center for Political Accountability reveals that more than a dozen U.S. companies that signed a 2021 appeal to Congress for a stronger Voting Rights Act are now funding 527 political groups that aim to undermine the legislation. Firms including Airbnb, DoorDash, Target and Zillow are among those giving to organizations that influence pivotal state contests. Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft, previously cut back or stopped contributions for the 2022 midterms, have restarted donations for the present election cycle, with Google alone contributing $325,000 so far.

These funds flow to groups such as the Republican Attorneys General Association, which praised recent Supreme Court decisions that empower state attorneys general in voting-rights cases. Republican-aligned 527 groups are out-raising Democratic counterparts this cycle, with corporate money forming a sizable share of their fundraising. Experts warn that corporate donations to these state-level entities can have a “trickle-up” effect on national policy, urging companies to align political spending with their public commitments.