Ben & Jerry’s Ill-Informed Scoop on Voting Rights

Ice cream corporation Ben & Jerry’s is using its new flavor, “Empower Mint,” to pressure leaders to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act through an online petition. “Democracy is in your hands! This fudge-filled flavor reflects our beliefs that voting gives everyone a taste of empowerment, and that the election should be more ‘by the people’ and less ‘buy the people’ We all deserve an equal serving of democracy,” Ben & Jerry’s website explains. The company is calling out the Supreme Court for allegedly “gutting” the Voting Right Act. Ben & Jerry’s claims SCOTUS’ recent decision has made it more difficult for minorities, millennials, and students to vote. [pullquote]Unfortunately for Ben & Jerry’s, however, voting rights are far more in reach for millennials than their overpriced pints of ice cream.[/pullquote] The company noted, “That’s why we must stand together and call on our leaders to not only reauthorize the Voting Rights Act, but fight back against new laws that undermine our freedom to vote, ensuring a democracy that works for everyone.” The Vermont brothers will be setting up kiosks at participating shops nationwide to allow people to register to vote. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this new flavor will be given to the NAACP. Both Ben & Jerry’s and the NAACP are known for their left leaning stances on social issues. Unfortunately for Ben & Jerry’s, however, voting rights are far more in reach for millennials than their overpriced pints of ice cream.