Live Nation recently announced multiple plans of action to advocate for civic engagement and voting access during the 2020 elections approaching in November. These initiatives include transforming concert venues owned by Live Nation into polling stations, providing employees with paid time off to vote, galvanizing employees to serve as poll workers through incentives, and conducting joint operations with other organizations, with the sole purpose to expand voter access and educational efforts.
“By converting their concert venues into voting locations, Live Nation is creating a safe and convenient way for people to exercise their right to vote this fall,” said Michael Tyler, EVP of Public Affairs More Than A Vote. “Similar to the sports arenas More Than A Vote has worked to convert into voting locations, many of Live Nation’s venues are located in the heart of the communities that we are committed to empowering in this election and offer the same COVID protections due to their large capacity.”
Live Nation is in the process of working with local functionaries to outline a suitable plan that will turn more than 100 Live Nation venues across the United States into polling stations.
As it stands, The Wiltern and Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, Emo’s in Austin, Texas, and the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia are confirmed Live Nation establishments to function as polling stations in the local communities. The Filmore, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, had been recommended to serve the local-residents and is in the final stages of being evaluated.
“We are proud to partner with Live Nation and announce The Hollywood Palladium and The Wiltern will be Vote Centers in the upcoming Presidential General Election,” said Dean C. Logan, Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk. “Live Nation has stepped up to the mic in providing our community safe in-person voting experiences at two iconic music venues. It is collaborations such as this that demonstrate the spirit of community engagement and the strength of our democracy.”
Michael Rapino’s analogy of voices being heard remains true to the company’s core beliefs. “Core to what we do at Live Nation is helping amplify voices on stage around the world, and supporting voting is another important way we want to continue making voices heard,” Rapino said.
Rapino, who is the president and CEO of Live Nation, continued, “We’re honored to work with such incredible partners and will do everything in our power to support and empower voter engagement among our employees and the public.”
Due to the current administration attempting to eradicate mail-in ballots, Live Nation is trying to give every American a fair opportunity at exercising their rights. This has not gone unnoticed in the “City of Brotherly Love.” Philadelphia City Commissioner Al Schmidt commended Live Nation’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He states, “Live Nation is going above and beyond by recognizing that elections are about more than just polling places. They’re about our communities. Live Nation is really stepping up to help during this challenging time – and we are grateful.”
To handle a project of this magnitude Live Nation is partnering with More Than A Vote, a consortium of black athletes and artists working together against systemic racism and voter suppression in communities of color, and Civil Alliance, a nonpartisan group of businesses working together to build a brighter future for every American by strengthening America’s democracy through creating accessible and trusted elections.
