Detroit is the first major U.S. city with four pro teams taking an active, nonpartisan role in this fall's electionsGETTY IMAGES
The Tigers and Red Wings were the "latest to join the venture" in support of Michigan's voting initiatives, announcing that Little Caesars Arena will be "used as a training venue for more than 6,000 volunteer workers in September and October, while Comerica Park will host a ballot drop box," according to Tony Paul of the DETROIT NEWS. With previous initiatives announced by the Lions and Pistons, Detroit is the first major U.S. city with four professional teams taking what Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson yesterday tweeted was an "active, nonpartisan role in supporting this fall's elections." Paul notes the Tigers and Red Wings also have "pledged to use their social-media platforms to promote the presidential election" (DETROIT NEWS, 9/3). In Detroit, Dana Gauruder reports training sessions will include "a few hundred volunteers at a time and take place over the next two months." Ilitch Holdings VP/Corporate Communications Jamie Langdon indicated that LCA "wasn't needed as a voting center but the state had a 'critical need' to find a safe place to train the volunteers during the pandemic." Gauruder notes the Pistons are "turning their practice facility, the Henry Ford Pistons Performance Center, into a satellite center for the election where people can register and vote on site." They also are "giving their employees a paid day off on Nov. 3" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 9/3).
CENTRAL FLORIDA SERVICE: In Orlando, Roy Parry reports Amway Center will be "open to Orange County residents for early voting from Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 1." Magic C Mo Bamba "first raised the idea of utilizing the space available at Amway, and the team went to work with the city of Orlando, which owns and operates the arena, Orange County and the Orange County Supervisor of Elections to achieve the goal." Bamba said that he "wanted his efforts to be more proactive than reactive amid social unrest throughout the country." Parry notes Bamba was "among the professional athletes who signed a letter with 'More Than A Vote' to fight Black voter suppression in 2020" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 9/3).
PUSH IN THE PAC-12: In Portland, James Crepea reports Pac-12 athletic programs "announced a collective commitment to facilitate registration and acquisition of mail-in ballots for eligible athletes prior to 2020 National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 22." The voter registration initiative is the "latest move by the conference in its efforts to promote social justice and combat racism." In July, the Pac-12 announced the formation of a social justice and anti-racism advisory group (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/3).
