More Than a Vote

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2020

More Than A Vote, MI Sec of State Jocelyn Benson, Coaches Lloyd Pierce and David Fizdale Partner to Expand Arena Voting in 2020 Election

Arenas and Surrounding Facilities Offer Safe, Easily Accessible Voting Option That Promotes Social Distancing

Group Working With Milwaukee Bucks Leadership To Replicate Efforts Underway in Atlanta, Detroit

Los Angeles -- Today, More Than A Vote, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Coaches Lloyd Pierce and David Fizdale announced a partnership to expand voting opportunities in large arenas and other large team facilities this election cycle.

The push for expansion comes on the heels of announcements in both Atlanta and Detroit that will convert the cities’ NBA franchise facilities into voting locations this fall, allowing tens of thousands of voters to safely cast ballots while maintaining social distancing in large, easily accessible locations in the heart of their communities. It also follows a presentation proposing the use of professional and collegiate sports facilities as voting locations that former NFL Executive Scott Pioli made at a meeting last week of the National Association of Secretaries of State.

Earlier this week, the Atlanta Hawks struck a deal with Fulton County, Georgia that will convert State Farm Arena into Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct available for use by all eligible voters in the county. Today, the Detroit Pistons announced that the club is partnering with the Michigan Department of State and the City of Detroit  on a series of education and turnout initiatives including the designation of the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center as a voting “Super Center” for the upcoming November 3 election. In addition, Milwaukee Bucks ownership is working with the partnership to seek a similar arrangement that would provide the use of team facilities as voting locations for Milwaukee voters.

 Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Coaches Lloyd Pierce and David Fizdale will work to help coordinate efforts between franchises, arena management, and jurisdictions to expand and promote arena voting opportunities in additional cities.

 Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “We can meet this challenge nationwide in partnership with sports leaders in every community. The robust partnership my office has developed with the Detroit Pistons can serve as a blueprint for other teams and leagues seeking to advance our common goal of protecting access to the vote for all.”

 Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Lloyd Pierce. “We’ll be working with coaches and franchise leadership across the league to figure out how we can replicate the voting option we’ve created here in Atlanta in as many cities as possible. People across our city are incredibly motivated to vote this year. Providing them with a 680,000 square foot facility to safely exercise their constitutional right will ensure we have high turnout here this fall.”

 Atlanta Hawks Point Guard Trae Young. “So as a citizen of Atlanta, I’m excited to see thousands of voters in our city exercise their right to vote right where I proudly represent them every night on the court. I hope other players, coaches, and NBA leadership will join us in the push to extend this opportunity to fans in NBA cities across the league.”

 Milwaukee Bucks Senior Vice President Alex Lasry. “We want to do whatever we can to ensure that all Milwaukee voters can cast ballots and exercise their constitutional right to vote while also remaining safe. That’s why we want to offer Fiserv Forum as a potential voting site and we're excited to discuss this idea with city officials and with our counterparts across the league to expand safe voting opportunities to as many citizens as possible.”