Charlotte Hornets tipping off two-month voting campaign. Here’s what it’s all about
When the NBA released its schedule in August, one of the immediately noticeable new wrinkles was a league-wide hiatus on Election Day in November.
That move aligned well with an initiative the Charlotte Hornets began during the pandemic-created NBA bubble in Orlando, Fla., after the league highlighted its social justice coalition. Since then, the Hornets have championed a campaign centered around increasing voter awareness. Beginning Tuesday, with nine weeks remaining until the Nov. 8 national midterm elections, the organization is increasing efforts once again to spread the word about the significance of Carolinians casting their votes.
The Hornets are tipping off their “Swarm to Vote” initiative, with a stated goal of driving stronger voter turnout than previous years, informing people how they can vote, and where. The organization also pushed this initiative in July, prior to the Charlotte city council elections.
“I don’t think there’s anything more important in living in a democracy than using our right to vote,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford told The Charlotte Observer. “So many people want changes in different aspects of our society. And the greatest way that we can be involved in making change is by electing people that we have like ideas about in different aspects of how we operate — not just at the national level, but at the state level and local level.
“It’s important to take the time to investigate and study local officials, candidates, the candidates for state offices and then obviously the candidates at the national level. I just think a lot of people look at it like, ‘I’m just one person.’ But if we want to be involved in making positive change … again, the biggest way you can play a part in that is by voting.”
To assist in increasing awareness in underserved communities, while also aiming to promote racial and economic equity and mobility, the Hornets will use a bevy of resources. They’ve created a website — hornets.com/go-vote — specifically geared toward listing pertinent information and dates all in one place.
The Barings Book Bus is also visiting select locations in the vicinity, with targets that include college campuses. Events will include a DJ to spin music and draw a few more ears to the area.
Leading up to the Hornets’ Nov. 7 game against Washington, which is being dubbed as “Swarm the Polls Night,” representatives from You Can Vote will be situated on the main concourse level at Spectrum Center during all of the Hornets’ games, spreading the message about voting and registering. Those reps will also be in place in Greensboro on Oct. 7 when the Hornets host Boston at the Greensboro Coliseum.
“We think voting is an essential right that everyone should exercise,” Hornets team president and vice chairman Fred Whitfield said. “And what we are trying to do is help ensure that as many people as possible have the ability to participate in the electoral process and really understand how important it is to have their voices heard.
“Obviously our owner Michael Jordan has spoken out in the past about the significance of this topic. It’s really important to him. It’s important to our coaches, it’s important to our players, and it’s important to all of us in the organization that we use all of our resources that we can to try to encourage this in our community.”
The Hornets are emphasizing they won’t be pushing voters toward any particular candidates.
“We just want to make sure that we reiterate we are very non-partisan,” Hornets senior director of corporate social responsibility Betsy Mack Rinke said. “We just want people to get out to the polls and vote and really promote the opportunity for individuals to use their voice to vote. We are so excited to have this whole campaign wrapped around really that main point.”
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 2:05 PM.
