American Oil and Gas Reporter - September 2020 - 25

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IPAA Voter Portal
Provides Election Information
On Energy Issues
The Independent Petroleum Association of America launched
a voter information portal on its website this month that is
designed to help inform voters with information specifically
tailored and tied to the energy-dependent job market. IPAA's
National Election Center includes state election updates; voting
information that includes how to register, where to find one's
polling location, and candidates for one's area; and candidate
comparisons. The program is nonpartisan because voter registration
and turnout is not a partisan issue.
U.S. voter turnout in the 2018 midterm election was the
highest recorded for any midterm election in the last century.
Company-led initiatives to encourage employees to vote played
a key role in this achievement. These companies' get-out-thevote programs not only helped get more voters to the polls, but
also helped to raise brand and organization awareness, strengthen
relationships between employees and shareholders, and even
open dialogues with elected officials.
Engaging the oil and natural gas industry, and informing
energy sector employees about issues affecting the industry and
candidates' stances on those issues, ensures energy interests
will be represented this November. It is essential for associations
and member companies to elevate our industry's narrative,
engage with members and employees on key policy issues and
encourage them to vote.
According to the Business Industry Political Action Committee,
employees consider their employers to be the single most
credible source of information on issues, candidates and elections.
In fact, nearly 80% of employees polled say they want their
employers to provide them with issue-based information. As
industry employees learn more about how policies impact the
industry, and the success of their companies and jobs, they are
more encouraged to speak out on behalf of natural gas and oil,
and to be involved in the political process.
IPAA's National Election Center Program focuses on participation, not party-line politics. The goal is to make information
accessible to all, and to lead those in our industry to more
informed decision-making in November.
A poll from data intelligence firm Morning Consult found
bipartisan support for American energy. The poll summary
reads, "New polling shows Americans recognize the value of
natural gas and oil in their lives, and most support political candidates who advocate for ongoing domestic energy production.
Democratic, Republican and independent voters all agree that
natural gas and oil will remain essential to the U.S. energy mix
over the next few decades, and an overwhelming majority find
it important to reduce our dependence on foreign energy."
Among Morning Consult's significant findings:
· Overall, 82% of voters across battleground states say
natural gas and oil provide value to their lives. Additionally,
nearly three-quarters (73%) of voters believe natural gas and oil
still will be a significant part of America's energy needs 20
years from now.
· More than seven in ten voters (76%) say the coronavirus

"Engaging the oil and natural gas
industry, and informing energy sector
employees about issues affecting the
industry and candidates' stances on those
issues, ensures energy interests will be
represented this November.

crisis has badly damaged their states' economies. A majority of
voters (63%) across battleground states believe the natural gas
and oil industry will play an important role in helping the
economy recover. Those in New Mexico and Texas are especially
likely to say it will play a very important role.
· Nearly two-thirds of voters (64%)-including a plurality
of Democrats and independents in every battleground state-
would be more likely to vote for a candidate who supports
policies that ensure consumers have access to natural gas and
oil produced in the United States. Majorities of voters cross education lines as well as urban, suburban and rural boundaries.
However, stated voter intent, as well as information and resources such as those from IPAA's National Election Center,
are worth nothing without action. Sept. 22 is National Voter
Registration Day. IPAA, along with many other trade associations, is pushing initiatives for voter registration leading up to
that date.
Each state has a different deadline for voters to register.
However, most fall in early to mid-October. Regardless of organizations' educational efforts, this work only counts if
employees vote early or on Election Day.
IPAA aims to be a continued resource for voting information
with regard to the energy industry. For more information, please
head to our website at https://ipaagrassroots.org/2020-electioncenter.
r

MALLORI MILLER is vice pres-

ident of government relations
for the Independent Petroleum
Association of America, focused
primarily on federal land development. She maintains friendly
communications with legislators
and key Department of Interior
officials and policymakers, advisers, journalists and others.
SEPTEMBER 2020 25

https://ipaagrassroots.org/2020-election-center https://ipaagrassroots.org/2020-election-center

American Oil and Gas Reporter - September 2020

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