With Election Day here in the United States, Major League Soccer has nearly 95% of eligible players registered to vote and 100% of eligible players registered on the three Canadian teams.
The initiative is part of MLS Unites to Vote, a league-wide, non-partisan program that’s aimed at helping players, staff and supporters make their voices heard in the 2020 general election. Launched in conjunction with the Black Players for Change (BPC) and MLS Players' Association (MLSPA), the movement has helped increase civic engagement across the entire soccer community.
Some players leading the way in encouraging voter registration have been Nashville SC defender Jalil Anibaba, LAFC defender Jordan Harvey and Philadelphia defender Ray Gaddis. One-hundred percent of players from their clubs are registered to vote and over a dozen other MLS clubs have seen 100% of eligible players registered to vote. At FC Dallas, club president and co-owner Dan Hunt has met with players to help them get registered.
There are also young players who are voting for the first time, since hundreds are coming up through various MLS academies. Too young to vote during the 2016 general election, they’ve now reached their 18th birthday and can participate.
Aside from voter registration, MLS teams have also opened their stadiums as voting centers and ballot return locations. LAFC’s Banc of California Stadium, Minnesota United FC’s Allianz Field and Philadelphia Union’s Subaru Park all served that role, helping increase turnout and accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. LAFC has also partnered with Chef Jose Andres’ World Central Kitchen to provide voters with fresh, nourishing meals for free at the stadium.
