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Sports Franchises and Election Administrators Team Up to Create New Polling Places
The Ash Center’s Tova Wang and NFL executive Scott Pioli make the case for using sports stadiums as polling places this fall.
Sports and Civic Participation
Seeking to explore ways teams can collaborate with election administrators, public officials and voters to promote democratic participation
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Anyone who is a fan of a professional sports team in the United States understands the strong bond many Americans have with their sports, teams, athletes – and their fellow fans. Sports teams are in a unique position to leverage this special power to support and inspire greater civic engagement and dialogue across difference in the communities they are a part of. The Ash Center’s research on sports and civic engagement seeks to explore ways teams can collaborate with election administrators, public officials and voters to provide exciting and enjoyable ways of participating in our democracy.
This work began in 2020 when, in close partnership with local election officials around the country, 48 teams and facility owners opened the doors of their arenas so that voters could use their stadiums as polling sites. After the 2020 election, scholars Michael Hanmer, David Nickerson, Robert Stein, Frank Guridy, and the Ash Center’s Tova Wang teamed up to research what impact having voting at stadiums and arenas had on voting and election administration. The findings of our report held true across the country and across political parties: Election administrators, team owners and staff, and voters loved using stadiums as polling places.
Ash continues to conduct research and provide programming on the role that sports teams can play in boosting civic engagement by making it a fun, engaging, and community building exercise.
Q+A
What role can sports teams play in 2024 voter turnout?
Ash Center Senior Researcher Tova Wang and NFL Network analyst Scott Pioli answer questions about how sports teams can foster civic engagement.
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What happens when sports stadiums and arenas are used as polling sites?
Research shows professional sports stadiums and arenas are not only ideal polling locations, but support for their use in elections reaches across the aisle and benefits the team.