By Zach Goins
September 3, 2020
The Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday launched a new voter education initiative called “Swarm The Polls,” raising awareness in the community about the importance of voting and to encourage voter turnout.
The campaign provides citizens in both North and South Carolina with easy access through one website for online voter resources with links to register, voter registration status, polling locations, and absentee ballot requests.
“Voting is one of the essential rights that we have in this country, and we want to do our part to ensure that as many people as possible have the ability to participate in the electoral process and make their voices heard,” said Hornets President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield in a press release. “If we can use our platforms to help drive voter registration, access and turnout, we are happy to do so. Our chairman has spoken recently about the significance of this topic, and it is one that is of utmost importance to him, our coaches and players, and our entire organization.”
Join us as we SWARM THE POLLS now until Election Day on November 3rd! 🗳 Visit https://t.co/RLhvrAWfEu for more details. pic.twitter.com/dVucJzIYO5
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) September 1, 2020
One of the main points of focus for the new campaign will be increased education and accessibility for voters in some of Charlotte’s most vulnerable communities. One way the team is already working to combat this is by transforming the Spectrum Center into an early voting site beginning next month. Mecklenburg County residents will have the ability to vote at the arena from October 15-31 between 8 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on weekdays, 8 a.m and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays. The Panthers’ Bank of America Stadium will also serve as an early voting site.
Before voting begins, the Hornets will also host a virtual town hall led by head coach James Borrego and media personality Jacinda on September 15. The free online event will feature special guests Muggsy Bogues, Rex Chapman, Devonte’ Graham, and Steve Smith, who will all share their own experiences with voting and the importance of the process.
Check out the “Swarm The Polls” voting resources page. To sign up for the virtual town hall event on September 15, register here.
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