"One Member, One Vote" depends on small business owners to tell us what issues are most important to them
As a small business owner, now is an important moment to tell NFIB what federal policies to focus on in 2021.
Last week, as part of NFIB’s One Member, One Vote program, NFIB unveiled the newest members-only Federal Issue Ballot. With a selection of major issues that matter to Main Street, this ballot will not only drive NFIB’s legislative and regulatory priorities throughout the new year, it will help NFIB hold lawmakers accountable and pressure them to put small business first.
This ballot is only available to NFIB members.
- NFIB Members: Log in and fill out your Federal Issue Ballot today.
- Not an NFIB Member? Join today – and then vote your Ballot.
One Member, One Vote Program Gives Greater Voice To Main Street
NFIB’s member ballot system has been the same constant and foundational element of our work for more than 75 years. Every member gets one vote on the issues. No exceptions. This highly democratic system has served small businesses well. Approximately 300,000 owners vote four ballots each year on what federal and state policy positions NFIB should take.
The newest federal ballot features five issues. All are expected to be major legislative and regulatory issues at the federal level in the coming year. The list includes:
- COVID-19 Liability
- Federal Regulation
- Right To Repair
- Paycheck Protection Program Taxes
- Out-Of-State Income Taxes
On each issue, small business owners can vote “yes” or “no” to indicate whether they support or oppose it. As positions on each issue gain significant majority support, NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team will take that message to the White House, Congress, and federal agencies. NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team is singularly focused on advancing small business interests in Washington, D.C.
Whether it’s existing laws and regulations that need changing, or legislation that impacts small business, NFIB has a proven track record of getting results. We have made measurable progress on the issues NFIB members voted on through the One Member, One Vote program.
Highlights include:
- Earlier this year, the bipartisan CARES Act provided nearly 80 percent of NFIB members with access to the Paycheck Protection Program
- The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act established the Small Business Deduction and repealed the Obamacare “individual mandate”
- In 2015, an increase in Small Business Expensing was made permanent, reducing small businesses’ tax burdens
- Expansion of affordable health insurance options such as short-term health insurance plans and health reimbursement arrangements
The ballot results also enable NFIB to track how Members of Congress vote, establishing “Key Vote” alerts on the relevant issues. Legislators who vote with small business on key issues 70 percent or more of the time earn NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business Award.
Voting on NFIB’s current Federal Issue Ballot – ballot #577 – remains open until December 31, 2020. Members can cast their votes by logging in to their account at NFIB.com/votemyballot.
Non-members can join NFIB right away – the sign-up process takes only a few minutes. Filling out the ballot takes only a few minutes more – but it will shape NFIB’s efforts and impact for months to come.
NFIB members can learn more and vote the newest Federal Issues Ballot here.
