Vote NO Against REI's Corporate
Board
How to Vote "Withhold"
Step 1: Confirm your REI membership number
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You will need your membership number in order to submit your vote. If you don’t have it on hand, you can go to REI’s membership page to log into or create an account to retrieve your membership info with.
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You can also call REI's membership hotline 1 800-426-4840 to retrieve your information.
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If you have an REI credit card, your membership info can be found on the physical card. ​
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Step 2: Click this link to start the voting process
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Once voting starts, visit REI’s official voting page where you’ll sign in using your member number. Then you’ll be able to begin the voting process.
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Step 3: Vote "Withhold" against all of REI’s hand-picked nominees
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After you sign in, you will be given the opportunity vote in favor or against each candidate that has been nominated for the board this year. Select “WITHHOLD” to vote against each of REI’s corporate nominees to block them from joining our board.
REI’s 2025 Board of Directors election is officially underway, and REI has chosen to offer only their handpicked nominees. So, Co-op members are coming together to reject REI’s corporate candidates.
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If you’re an active REI member, you can click the link below to start voting! For more info on how to vote, follow the steps above to check your membership status, access your ballot, and cast your vote. Then, after you’re finished voting, please share this page with all the REI members you know!
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By casting a “withhold” vote, you’re joining thousands of other Co-op members who are ready for a change at REI. THANK YOU for making your voice heard this year and helping us hold REI to the standard we all deserve!
Other Ways You can Help:
After you vote withhold, please add your name to our Vote No Pledge to let us know you voted no and will continue to stand with our union in our fight for accountability across the Co-op!
Also, please share our voting information across your social media pages so we can spread the word and make sure every REI Co-op member gets the info they need to vote. Each ballot counts towards a better tomorrow at REI!
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Why Thousands of Co-op Members are Rejecting REI's Corporate Slate
We’re asking you to vote “Withhold” in this year’s election because because REI’s Board of Directors is out of control. For too long, we’ve seen REI’s leadership chip away at the values that make our Co-op special. Not only did REI refuse to include Tefere Gebre and Shemona Moreno - our pro-climate, pro-worker candidates on this year’s election ballot, but they continue to fight against our collective voice and the demands of thousands of Co-op members who are asking them to do better.
Enough is enough! We’re taking a stand this March and making sure we do everything we can to hold REI to a fair standard. By voting against REI’s slate of corporate candidates this year, we have the opportunity to disrupt this pattern of abuse and make a new path moving forward for our Co-op — one that honors the voices of its members and the workers who make REI what it is.
Read More about all the ways that REI is losing sight of itself and failing to meet the needs of its workers and members.
A Deep Dive into REI’s Downward Trajectory
We’re asking you to vote NO in the upcoming Board election to hold REI accountable for all their recent behavior. Read on to learn more about all the ways REI is losing sight of itself, failing its members and workers, and jeopardizing its founding principles.
REI endorses Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Interior
REI’s leadership recently endorsed Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of the Interior. Since joining Trump’s cabinet, Burgum has already pushed for:
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More oil and gas drilling on public land.
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A reversal of “harmful” and “coercive” Biden-era climate protections.
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Reduced accountability for mining companies that harm wildlife.
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A revision of public land protections, which could change the boundaries of our national monuments.
This endorsement is shocking, but it’s unfortunately in-line with REI’s trend of abandoning the values that make our Co-op special. Read more about Doug Burgum’s anti-environment priorities here.
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REI eliminates its Experiences division and lays off over 400 workers
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REI kicked off 2025 by closing its ‘Experiences’ division, which included guided trips and outdoor classes. This closure also resulted in the layoffs of over 400 people. The Experiences program was an invaluable offering that helped people get outside safely and foster a lifelong love for the outdoors.
Workers and members alike were deeply frustrated by this decision, as Experiences was a core program that helped set REI apart from other outdoor retailers. Instead, REI is continuing to prioritize short-term gains over its original mission. Read more about the closure of REI experiences here.
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University researchers reveal serious violations in REI’s supply chain
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Last December, the UMass Amherst Labor Center and the student activist group ‘Students for International Labor Solidarity’ released a report that documented egregious violations of labor rights across REI’s global supply chain. According to the report, people who make REI’s Co-op branded apparel are often subject to debt bondage, sub-poverty wages, and discrimination at the factories where they work.
These violations are incredibly concerning, and we’ve demanded REI take immediate action to address these issues. Read more about REI’s supply chain violations here.
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REI removes key protective gear from NYC store
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Workers from the Ski Shop at REI SoHo went on strike for 54 days after the company suddenly decided to take away respirators from shop workers around the country. REI had offered these respirators for years, so workers could stay safe while melting wax and working with hazardous chemicals in their shop, which is located in the store’s basement.
REI should never have taken away this protective equipment, and it’s a shame that workers had to go on strike for 54 days before the company finally reached an agreement with them. Read more about the SoHo Ski shop strikes here.
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REI hires Morgan Lewis, an anti-worker, anti-union law firm
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In the Spring of 2023, REI hired Morgan Lewis to represent them in negotiations with our union stores. Morgan Lewis is the country’s most notorious anti-union law firm: they’ve worked with Trump, Amazon, and Elon Musk’s SpaceX to curb union activity. They are currently working with Musk to undermine the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board.
Once REI hired Morgan Lewis, our bargaining sessions slowed to a crawl. REI stopped sending company representatives to bargaining sessions, which means workers no longer had the opportunity to negotiate with anyone who actually works at the Co-op. Read more about REI’s involvement with Morgan Lewis here.​
REI Board Election FAQ
When does REI’s Board election kick off?
This year’s Board of Directors election period will begin on March 3rd! Members will have most of March and all of April to vote. The election wraps up on May 1st.
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How do I vote?
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In early March, REI will send out a link to your email that goes to their online voting platform. You can also vote by clicking this link after March 3: https://vote.escvote.com/REI
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Who is eligible to vote? How do I determine whether I’m an active member?
All “active members” will be eligible to vote in this year’s Board election. To be considered an "active" member and entitled to vote, you must have purchased at least $10 worth of merchandise, had a shipping charge of at least $10, or become a new member in 2024.
What will I put on my ballot? How do I reject REI’s candidates?
For each candidate, the ballot will give you an option to vote “For” them or “Withhold” your vote against them. You can reject REI’s candidates by voting “Withhold.” By doing so, you’ll signal to REI that you’re ready to see a change on the board away from corporate leadership. It’s time for REI to get back to its roots.
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Who is on the ballot for this year's board election?
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This year, REI unilaterally selected Liz Huebner, Michael McAfee, and Monica Shwartz on their Board election ballot. Heubner and McAfee are incumbent candidates, and Monica Schwartz is running for the open spot on the Board.
Liz Huebner is a Board member at Curology, McAfee is the CEO of PolicyLink, and Schwartz is the executive vice president at BJ’s Wholesale.
We’re asking REI members to “Withhold” their vote for all three of these candidates to reject the corporate status quo that they represent — as well as to protest the undemocratic process by which these candidates were added to this year's ballot.
How do I find my member number / check my member status?
You can check your REI member number and status here. On this page, you’ll be able to sign into your REI account, confirm your member number, and then use your member info to go cast your vote.
What happens if the REI membership rejects REI’s board candidates?
According to REI’s bylaws, “any nominee who does not receive a greater number of “for” than “withhold” votes will not be elected, and the REI Board seat for which the nominee was nominated will be considered vacant.”​​​