The Orioles announced Sept. 16 additional plans to support the club’s ongoing Voter Up campaign, which launched last month in conjunction with the Empowerment Series as part of the Orioles’ celebration of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The Voter Up campaign, which supports Major League Baseball’s league-wide voter engagement initiative, will raise awareness around key dates in the election cycle in order to empower Maryland fans and employees to exercise their right to vote safely in November. In support of the campaign, the Orioles are working with the Baltimore City Board of Elections to finalize details that will designate Oriole Park as an early voting center, guaranteeing Baltimore City residents a safe and secure place to vote.
“In these challenging times, the Orioles are proud to join Major League Baseball and the Commissioner’s effort to use league-wide platforms to contribute to the public welfare and the preservation and celebration of our American spirit and system of democracy,” said JOHN ANGELOS.
In an effort to encourage staff to actively participate in the upcoming general election, the Orioles have declared Election Day as a paid day off for all full-time staff. On November 3, employees are encouraged to vote and to volunteer to serve as poll workers or in a variety of other volunteer roles to help ensure safe, fair voting access throughout Birdland.
In support of the league’s commitment to take action on voter education, registration, and turnout, as well as civic engagement, the Orioles will work with players and personnel throughout the entire organization to provide voter registration information and key deadlines for absentee ballot requests and early voting. The club will focus on mobilizing players and staff to take on an active role in their communities during the election cycle and beyond.
The club has partnered with several nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations to promote in-person registration drives in the community. Fans and employees are encouraged to volunteer with Baltimore Votes, which is hosting voter registration drives in partnership with the League of Women Voters at Enoch Pratt Free Library from September 14 through October 3, and with HARBEL Community Organization at their office (5807 Harford Road) from September 26 and October 10. Fans and employees are also encouraged to volunteer from home with VoteRiders to make calls, send texts, and mail letters outlining essential voter ID information and providing resources as voters prepare to cast their ballots.
The Orioles will continue to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment with new Speakers Forum vignettes in the weeks leading up to the election. The club launched the Speakers Forum last month to generate conversations around important societal topics, such as women’s empowerment, the importance of voting, diversity and inclusion, and youth engagement. Media and fans can access all of these conversations at Orioles.com/Empowerment. Several of the women featured in the vignettes are available for media interviews by request by contacting oriolesPR@orioles.com.
The Voter Up campaign is part of the Orioles’ year-round commitment to strengthening the community. For more information on the Voter Up campaign and to access voter registration information, key deadlines, volunteer opportunities, and additional resources, please visit Orioles.com/VoterUp.
— Baltimore Orioles press release
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