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Barclays Center Will Be Turned Into a Polling Site for the General Election

The arena will now serve as the largest voting site in Brooklyn, giving thousands of voters a safe space to cast their ballot
Miracle Singleton
Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets (not in Flatbush, but it runs along Flatbush Avenue)

Barclays Center will be converted into Brooklyn's largest polling site for the 2020 general election, welcoming voters for early voting between Oct. 24 and Nov. 1 and on Election Day, Nov. 3.

The announcement comes less week after the NBA and players union reached an agreement to use arenas as polling sites for the upcoming election. The agreement was reached so the NBA could resume playoff games after players staged a walkout in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake and systemic racism in the U.S.

NYC Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan, BSE Global CEO John Abbamondi, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo announced the plan on Tuesday.

Abbamondi said the decision was two months in the making and the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center were committed to doing their part in providing a safe and convenient option for the community to vote in the upcoming general election.

"We are proud to be a part of the incredible effort that many NBA arenas have shown to ensure that people exercise their voting power," he said.

Today's announcement comes two months before Election Day and on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, designed to bring awareness to the need for poll workers. BSE Global, which operates the Nets and Barclays Center, will encourage employees to work as poll workers. The company will also share voter education materials on all team and arena websites and social media and display digital signs outside the arena.

The arena will comply with CDC guidelines and will be able to cater to thousands of Brooklyn residents.

Borough President Eric Adams said this election would be one of the most important in the city and country's history, and it was imperative all voting options were put in place.

"I applaud Barclays Center for opening their space to New Yorkers who are looking to vote in person this year, whether early or on Election Day, and supporting our ongoing commitment to expanding civic participation in the borough of Brooklyn," he said.

"I hope this partnership serves as a model for similar facilities and spaces nationwide."

NYC Board of Elections Executive Director Michael Ryan he was pleased Barclays Center had stepped up in such a crucial election and its involvement would smoothen the voting process.

To register to vote and find your polling site, visit www.vote.nyc.




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