City officials and community groups are teaming up to hold a 2020 Census and drive-thru voter registration event at 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Champion’s Square.
Residents will be able to receive free masks, register to vote, update their registration, request an absentee ballot, and sign up to be poll workers. Participants will also have the opportunity to fill out their census forms with the help of Census workers.
“Due to COVID-19, planning voter engagement events has been challenging,” says City Councilwoman Helena Moreno. “Traditional rallies or other events drawing crowds are not safe. I’m so thankful to Power the Polls and Lebron James’ More Than A Vote, two national organizations that helped us think outside the box and encouraged us to get this event underway.
A number of local volunteers, agencies, and organizations, including Louisiana State and Exposition District, Office of Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters, Law Offices of Chip Forstall, National Council of Jewish Women, Alpha Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, Pontchartrain (LA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, Crescent City Chapter of The Links, Inc., and the Power Coalition, have joined this effort.
“Leveraging the sports venues and their surrounding facilities for voter engagement will ensure that the people of New Orleans can get counted, get registered, and make sure their voices are heard in a safe and convenient way,” says Michael Tyler, executive vice president for Public Affairs of More Than A Vote.”Using Champions Square for voter registration, absentee ballot requests, poll worker recruitment, and census activities is a perfect example of a collaborative effort that provides a core civic function for communities that are suffering the most during this pandemic.”
