The Trail Blazers organization has crafted a "multitiered plan aimed at encouraging census participation, increasing voter registration and, ultimately, boosting voter turnout for the November election," according to Joe Freeman of the Portland OREGONIAN. Turning Moda Center into a voting facility is not needed, as Oregon "makes casting a ballot easy and more inclusive" for mail-in voters. So, the organization is "using its influence to boost census participation and voter turnout." Their efforts are limited by the pandemic, so there "won't be door-to-door solicitations, community gatherings or other traditional methods of civic engagement." Instead, the team is "partnering with state government agencies and numerous nonprofits, and throwing resources into social media advertising and messaging, much of which is aimed at those most underrepresented." The rest of the franchise's efforts are "focused on the Nov. 3 general election." Roughly 80% of Oregonians voted in the '16 general election, but participation "plummeted to 68% during the 2018 midterms and just 47% in the May primaries." The Blazers have "dedicated a one-stop shop website for all things census and voting" where people can check their "voter registration status, sign up for election reminders and fill out the 2020 census." In addition to its "social media blitz, the team later this month will produce voting-focused public service announcements featuring celebrities" (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/17).
