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Team working to convert Chase Center into location to help serve 2020 general election.
The Warriors are well into plans to convert Chase Center into a location to help serve the Nov. 3 general election, a team source confirmed with The Chronicle.
Across the bay, the A’s are working on a similar effort at the Coliseum, team President Dave Kaval told The Chronicle.
Golden State plans to announce specifics next week, while Kaval said the A’s are early in the process and would need backing from the OaklandAlameda County Coliseum Joint Powers Authority since they don’t own the facility.
“It could be a great gesture, and I’ve seen across sports, the NBA especially, has really committed to that and I think it’s a great step. We would love to be a part of that in Oakland,” Kaval said. “Any way we can help support people’s ability to vote and be good citizens is a win. It fits with the responsibility we feel with being part of an Oakland company.”
News of the Warriors’ effort follows the NBA’s announcement Friday that it will resume the postseason Saturday, with the understanding that the league will work to carry out certain commitments. Among those initiatives is that, in every city where the NBA owns and controls the arena property, team governors will work with local elections officials to transform the facility into a voting location for the election.
Establishing more voting locations was an important part of “More Than a Vote,” an initiative that Lakers forward LeBron James and other athletes led to encourage civic engagement and protect voter rights.
Kaval said the A’s “love” the idea of using the Coliseum as a voting location and raised the issue with the Joint Powers Authority, though the team does not control dates beyond baseball.
“But if we can be a catalyst for that to happen it would be a great way to increase the ability for people to vote and exercise their franchise and do it in a place they feel comfortable,” Kaval said. “We’re 100% supportive and we’re pushing for it. I think the locations are set at the county level but that could be incredible.”