Remember to Vote & Join Main Street Members on Super Tuesday

What better day to talk about politics than on this Super Primary Election Day? As you may know, Americans registered to vote in 22 states are headed to the polls today, casting ballots for their respective party’s nomination to be President of the United States. Not only is this a great day to get out and vote (if you live in one of those 22 states), but it is also a perfect time to remind all eBay members about eBay's Main Street Member program.

The Main Street Member program is designed to keep you up to date on important political information and legislation that could directly impact eBay buyers and sellers. eBay's dedicated Government Relations team works fervently on behalf of the eBay Community. However, no amount of lobbying and elbow-rubbing can match the simple fact that elected politicians listen to and respond best to the folks who put them into office - their constituents. 

That's where you come in. You can add your voice to the thousands of eBay members who have joined the Main Street Member program, getting your message out to your elected leaders. It offers opportunities to tell your elected officials how proposed legislation could affect you if it were passed. For example, last year, Main Street members visited state capitals in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and met with lawmakers to let them know how legislative regulations in those states would impact their eBay activity.

Other topics like requiring auctioneering licenses, open ticket trade markets, and state sales taxes activated Main Street Members in other states. The eBay Government Relations team requested Main Street Members to take time to write their elected officials and let them know why they favored or opposed specific legislation.

To give you an idea of the impact Main Street Members have, they've successfully promoted legislation to exempt eBay sellers from undue regulations required of traditional auctioneers. Another campaign focused on removing price caps on the resale of tickets, increasing availability and allowing buyers and sellers to trade tickets in a free and open marketplace.

Finally, some Main Street Members have had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to oppose efforts to require eBay sellers to collect and pay taxes to the states (and thousands of local jurisdictions) where their customers are located. (Learn more about the State Stream-Lined Sales Tax)

Combined with some of the issues already mentioned, 2008 brings about new legislative challenges. If you'd like to let your voice be heard in Washington D.C. or in your respective State house, simply go to www.ebaymainstreet.com to become an eBay Main Street Member. As eBay’s Vice President of Government Relations Tod Cohen puts it, “No amount of money or highly skilled lobbyist can compare with the power of a lawmaker’s constituent explaining how a single vote could impact his or her livelihood.”

Oh, by the way, if you haven’t already voted today and you live in one of the 22 states holding primaries, be sure to get out there and cast that ballot! In my opinion, it’s one of the best parts about being a citizen of these United States.