Use Of Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium As Polling Site In November Under Consideration
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The idea of using the Raiders’ new Allegiant Stadium as a polling site in November is under consideration, a Raiders executive confirmed to LVSportsBiz.com Friday.
The 65,000-seat domed stadium, which sits on 62 acres the west side of Interstate 15 off Hacienda Avenue, has had a certificate of occupancy for nearly a month and has already hosted two Raiders practices.
The presidential election is heating up to be a fierce showdown between Republican incumbent Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
The campaigns are unfolding against a backdrop of professional sports leagues, teams and athletes becoming more engaged in the political process, especially with the NBA looking at using team arenas as polling sites across the U.S.
NHL and NBA players have also protested against what they say is racial injustice in the way police treat Black people in this country. More than two months ago, Raiders owner Mark Davis wrote this regarding what he called “The Murder of George Floyd.”
Even Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson tweeted a post just yesterday urging people to register to vote.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the election process as many voters hope to send their ballots in by mail and health officials do not want big gatherings like the ones you see at polling sites.
Having a giant football stadium like the Raiders’ massive new venue as a polling location could provide for social distancing, especially because it’s a big domed sports venue with air conditioning.
Davis said weeks ago fans will not be allowed to attend Raiders home games because of the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020. But Las Vegans might see the inside of the palatial new stadium on Election Day.
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