Updated Sept. 15: AAC will now be a polling location for early voting Oct. 13-30 as well as on Nov. 3, Election Day.
Dallas' American Airlines Center will serve as the largest polling place in Dallas County for the upcoming election.
The home of the Dallas Mavericks and Dallas Stars came to be a polling place following larger discussions between NBA teams and players around social justice and racial equality. The league said in August they hoped to work with local elections officials to convert the facilities into voting locations for the November election in all cities where the league franchise owns or controls the property.
For the Mavericks, using the AAC as a polling place is part of their "Mavs Take ACTION!" plan to address racial inequalities and promote social justice and change in North Texas.
The initial plan was for the arena to be a polling place on Election Day only, but on Sept. 15 the team announced the AAC would also be a polling place during early voting from Oct. 13-30.
“Every voice matters,” said Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks. “Every citizen has the fundamental right to vote in the election and we are doing our part by offering up the largest polling place in the county. We encourage everyone to register who is eligible and vote early starting Oct. 13.”
The AAC will offer plenty of room to keep voters safely distanced amid the ongoing pandemic. The arena also provides ample free parking as well as adjacent access to light rail and bus stops.
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“The Dallas Stars are pleased to join the efforts of the Mavericks and American Airlines Center in opening the arena as a polling site for the upcoming general election,” Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts said. “By turning one of the greatest arenas in the world into the largest voting location in the City of Dallas, we are able to provide a safe environment for our citizens to cast their ballots.”
Dallas County voters are able to vote at any polling location in the county, regardless of their precinct. Early voting runs Tuesday, Oct. 13 through Friday Oct. 30. Election Day is the following Tuesday, Nov. 3. To see a list of Early Voting and Election Day voting locations in Dallas County, visit DallasCountyVotes.org.
The venue will also host a drive-through registration event on Sept. 22, National Voter Registration Day. Dallas County voters who are eligible to vote can visit mavs.com/vote for registration information. The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 5. Click here to check your status or to register to vote visit VoteTexas.gov.
"We are proud to partner with the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars and Dallas County to transform American Airlines Center into the largest polling location for Dallas County residents," said Dave Brown, American Airlines Center COO and General Manager. "Our team is eager and committed to providing a safe and accessible in-person voting experience for the community."
