• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
opinion
Athletes

Democracy is a Team Sport

Fulton County

Editor’s Note: The following article is a guest column from More Than a Vote, a nonprofit organization devoted to supporting Black voters founded by LeBron James and a group of other prominent Black athletes and entertainers. This column was authored by a group of elections officials partnering with the organization to help turn sporting venues into voting location. The opinions within are their own.

Live sports are back on our screens and in our homes. Last month, professional basketball resumed in isolation in Florida — a light of joy for fans in these dark, uncertain times and a testament to both the NBA and WNBA’s commitment to the health and safety of their players and our communities.

But this year, as our country prepares for a historic national election amidst a global pandemic, there’s another important way professional sports franchises can serve as stewards of democracy: by partnering directly with election administrators to turn their now empty arenas into voting locations, using their platforms to provide voters with accurate information about how to cast their ballots, and encouraging team personnel to staff the elections. When athletes and other sports leaders partner with their state and local election officials directly, they make democracy work for all.

We face a unique challenge this year as millions of Americans will cast ballots this fall amid the ongoing public health crisis. As we witnessed throughout the primary process, the pandemic has not dampened voter enthusiasm. In every state, voters will brave lines, fewer polling places, and even a pandemic to make their voices heard. But they shouldn’t have to. During the early voting period for the August 11 runoff, voters in Fulton County, Georgia saw shorter lines and well-trained staff at the State Farm Arena voting site – home of the Atlanta Hawks  – demonstrating a model that can accommodate convenient, safe in-person voting, even during the current health crisis.

As arenas lie dormant during the pandemic, professional sports franchises and facilities management have a unique opportunity to provide a core civic function by working in concert with local election administrators to arrange safe and easily accessible voting options for their communities by converting their arenas and team facilities into voting locations both during the early voting period and on Election Day. Arenas and other large capacity team facilities are not only conducive to social distancing, they are widely-known locations within communities and are often easily accessible via transit. In short, they provide a safe and equitable solution to a problem that is not going away before Election Day.

Even with enough appropriate voting locations, it will be difficult to staff those locations with enough trained poll workers. The traditional pool of volunteers relies heavily on older Americans — the very population most at-risk to coronavirus. To help address this shortage, teams can fill the void by encouraging their employees to volunteer as election workers by providing company-wide paid days off throughout the voting period to ensure that their employees can both vote and serve in the arenas they already know inside-out.

Lastly, players, coaches, and on-air personalities are some of the most well-known and trusted names in our communities. These leaders in the world of sports can become civic leaders, using their platforms to inform the public on how to safely vote during the pandemic. Teams can work with local election administrators to organize public education campaigns that inform citizens of these new arena voting opportunities and provide other critical information such as how to successfully vote by mail or how to vote in-person safely and conveniently.

More Than A Vote, the nonpartisan voting rights group that we advise, has taken the lead in developing and promoting this suite of solutions in several cities to date.  Teams in Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, and Sacramento have already stepped up, and former NFL Executive Scott Pioli has directly called on NFL teams and college coaches to offer their sports facilities as voting sites while advising and making critical connections to enable Secretaries of State from both sides of the aisle to bring these partnerships to fruition. We can replicate these efforts at scale across the country. All it takes is the leadership of athletes, the sports franchises, and local election administrators.

We are a mix of Democrats, Republicans, and non-partisan election administrators. We offer these recommendations not to further any partisan or political agenda, but with a clear understanding of the challenges we face this cycle to ensure that every voter that wishes to participate can do so without sacrificing their health or safety.

American Democracy does not have a pause button. During a civil war, two world wars, natural disasters, and domestic crises, we have managed to provide our citizens with the tools they need to fulfill the most fundamental civic duty.  Each time it has required innovation and collaboration. In this instance and in the absence of live sports, some of our most treasured civic institutions — our sports teams — can still open their doors to ensure that voting is convenient and safe for all.

Pamela Anderson, Former Clerk and Recorder, Jefferson County, CO, Executive Director, Colorado Clerk’s Association

David Becker, Executive Director, Center for Election Innovation & Research

Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (D)

Trey Grayson, Former Kentucky Secretary of State (R)

Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State (R)

Tahesha Way, New Jersey Secretary of State (D)

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley Says TNT Sports ‘Just Sucks.’ Its CEO Doesn’t Mind

Barkley recently criticized TNT’s handling of “Inside the NBA.”
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Rayan Rupert (21) shoots a jump shot during the second half against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Sale and Ownership Group Finalized, Now Awaiting NBA Approval

Dundon’s ownership group also includes the founders of Panda Express.
Kawhi Leonard

A Timeline of the Kawhi Leonard-Clippers-Aspiration Saga

Investigations into the Clippers’ business dealings with Leonard date back years.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Joe Burrow

Joe Burrow Out for Months After Bengals’ Pricey Offseason

Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are the highest-paid WR duo in NFL history.
September 10, 2025

Kuminga, Grimes Remain Unsigned As Giddey Agrees to $100M Deal

Two of the four restricted free agents have inked deals.
September 11, 2025

NHL To Allow Players From Hockey Canada Trial To Return This Winter

The five Canadian players were all acquitted in July.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 8, 2025

Alcaraz and Sinner Have More to Gain in 2025 After Splitting Slams

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight Grand Slams.
September 7, 2025

Alcaraz Beats Sinner, Wins $5M Prize, Reclaims World No. 1

Alcaraz won a record $5 million first prize at the US Open.
Angel Reese
September 5, 2025

Angel Reese Suspended For Half-Game After Ripping Teammates

The team is disciplining Reese for criticizing her teammates publicly.
Caitlin Clark
September 4, 2025

Caitlin Clark Says She Won’t Return From Injury This Year

She only played 13 games this season.