09/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/29/2026 13:16
DIAMOND BAR, Calif (Sept. 29, 2026) - The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has officially re-launched its Drive the Vote campaign to mobilize the employees of SEMA's member businesses, along with the nation's 70 million automotive enthusiasts, to cast ballots in this November's midterm elections.
"Voting is a fundamentally American act, and we need everyone in the automotive aftermarket industry to get to the polls during this pivotal election and lend their voices to the political process," said Karen Bailey-Chapman, SEMA's senior vice president for public and government affairs. "In 2024, our community showed up in a big way by delivering a clear referendum on EV mandates and reminding lawmakers that our industry is a powerful force to reckon with. This year, we have new issues and new names on the ballot, but our mission remains the same: send pro-automotive legislators to Washington, D.C., to ensure we can deliver pro-automotive legislation and policies that support our industry and the small businesses who drive our culture."
For 2026, Drive the Vote has again developed resources to ensure that every American is fully knowledgeable about where their candidates stand on automotive, racing, and off-roading issues. These resources include the development of a 2026 Voter Guide led by SEMA's Driving Force Foundation voter education initiative. The guide presents information on every single elected official in Congress and how they have voted on SEMA-backed issues.
To learn more about Drive the Vote, visit sema.org/vote.
ABOUT SEMA
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates nearly $53 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.
###