As election officials across the country make final preparations for Tuesday's in-person voting, Green Bay election officials were on the Lambeau Field campus Monday to set up the Johnsonville Tailgate Village as one of the city's 16 polling places.
The city approached the Packers last spring after COVID-19 challenges reduced the number of polling places in the April elections. The team offered the Johnsonville Tailgate Village as a location, which will serve well with its spacious interior and ample space for parking and queuing lines, allowing for safe voting during the pandemic.
The Packers' support of the election locally is a component of the NFL's new program, "NFL Votes," a non-partisan initiative taking place across the league that has supported and encouraged the civic engagement and voting of NFL players, alumni, club and league personnel. It consists of three components: voter education, voter registration, and voter activation. These efforts are part of "Inspire Change," the league's social justice initiative.
The league has worked with three nonprofit, non-partisan organizations: I am a Voter, RISE to Vote, and Rock the Vote. Packers players took part in a voter education seminar during training camp led by Rock the Vote. League-wide, more than 2,500 players, as well as more than 5,000 other members of the NFL family have participated in these sessions.
Additionally, the Packers and the NFL have encouraged Americans to vote and become more involved in the process overall. Players have used social media to encourage voting, and Head Coach Matt LaFleur is part of a national commercial featuring NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and other NFL personalities encouraging citizens to vote.
The team also has encouraged those who are available and interested to volunteer to work at polling sites. The Civic Alliance and its Power the Polls partners have worked to recruit 250,000 new poll workers and election staff to support safe and secure elections. A significant percentage of poll workers are over 60 years old and many won't be able to work at polls this year due to COVID risks. Some of our employees have expressed an interest and will be volunteering this year.
The Packers also are supporting Green Bay poll workers with a "Thank You" goodie bag, which includes water, snacks and a Packers "I Voted" sticker.
Green Bay residents who are uncertain of their polling location should enter their address here to confirm their location.
