Voters Win

Andy Fahey

The Warriors Basketball Facility in Downtown Oakland will serve as an official polling location and ballot drop-off site for the 2020 General Election. Only voters residing in Alameda County are eligible to use this polling location.

Please follow the directions below to vote at the Warriors Basketball Facility or simply drop off your completed ballot.
The hours of operation are listed below:

Saturday, October 31: 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 1: 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
Monday, November 2: 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 3: 7:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m.

Please consider the following safety guidelines when coming to the Warriors Basketball Facility in Oakland to drop your completed ballot, or vote in person:

If arriving via public transportation, on foot, or ride share drop off:

If arriving via public transportation or on foot:

If arriving via personal vehicle or ride share:

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Voting at the Warriors Basketball Facility in Oakland

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The Warriors recently wrapped up their fall minicamp, during which time the team spent two weeks running daily drills and scrimmages. But besides taking to the court to be basketball-ready once again, they used this time and their platform to ask one thing of Dub Nation: vote in the 2020 General Election.

It was a call-to-action shared many times during minicamp via The Dubble Cam, where the squad could send messages to the fans. The Warriors wore their sentiment on their sleeves, or in the case of guard Mychal Mulder their tees and masks as well.

“Me being from Canada, I can’t vote in this election,” said Mulder after a camp practice one day, “but I think it’s extremely important for everybody who can to get out in this coming election.”

“Everybody’s voice is important,” he continued. “Some people feel like they’re not heard and we got to prove that’s not true. I feel like it’s important and people have fought for hundreds of years to give us an opportunity to vote, and it’s important everybody gets out and does so… Even though it’s not my own, I understand how important it is.”

The black tees with gold lettering like Mulder wore included messages such as “Good Trouble” and “Voters Win.” These shirts are currently available at the Warriors Shop flagship store at Thrive City, located just outside of Chase Center.

Another tee which Dub Nation may have seen while watching the NBA Finals was sported by Eric Paschall in a commercial. His message was short and simple: “Shut Up and Vote.”

As Paschall hinted, talking about change is not enough. Change happens through action, and Dub Nation can take action by voting.

At 21 years old, Jordan Poole will be voting in his first presidential election this year and he echoed similar sentiments to those of his teammates.

“This will be my first time being able to vote (in a General Election),” said the guard after minicamp one day. “Our generation is the upcoming generation and our goals matter just as much as those who voted before us… just being able to vote is the way that your voice can be heard.”

“We demand justice… it’s definitely unfair how we’re being treated,” Poole said as he discussed current affairs in the country. “We need to be heard and I know we won’t stop until something changes. Our ancestors have been fighting, some fought their entire lives to at least get us to the point where we are now. It’d be a slap in the face if we were to stop now… we won’t stop until our voices are heard.”

And as center Kevon Looney summed it up: “Gotta try to persevere, gotta try to stay hopeful, try to encourage people to do the right thing, try to get them to protest peacefully, get them to go out there and vote.”

The Warriors encourage fans to prepare early for the 2020 General Election in the following ways:

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Voters Win: Dubs Encourage Civic Engagement Throughout Minicamp

Golden State Warriors

With less than a month leading up to the 2020 general election, Warriors players and coaches have made a continuous effort in voicing the importance of civic engagement and voter participation this year. In partnership with I Am A Voter, the Dubs remain committed to sharing educational resources leading up to the election including how one’s vote matters beyond the ballot.

Unbeknownst to many, there are a number of positions in the federal government that the general public does not get to vote on, but the elected president appoints. These positions require Senate confirmation and can have a direct impact on our communities in a number of ways.

Simply put, in choosing a candidate for the presidency and for your state’s senate seats, you’re entrusting them to make these appointments on your behalf. Learn about five key positions appointed by the elected president and why they’re important.

As head of the U.S. Department of Education, the Secretary of Education’s role is to advise the president on federal education policy and adequate programming. In a prolonged effort to ensure access to equal education opportunities, the Secretary of Education works to complement state and local school systems through community-based organizations and the allocation of federal funds, with California’s Department of Education providing support to Bay Area school districts and beyond.

As head of Health and Human Services (HHS), responsibilities of this role include overseeing a number of agencies that conduct research, implement health interventions, and promote public health. Agencies of notable importance to the American public include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Particularly during this pandemic, the Department of Health and Human Services has been imperative in dispersing COVID-19 information to the masses. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services guides state financing for national healthcare services such as Medicare, Medicaid, and more.

As Head of the U.S. Department of State, the Secretary of State serves as the president's principal adviser on U.S. foreign policy. The Secretary of State’s primary responsibility is to ensure the protection of American citizens, property, and interests while also overseeing U.S. immigration policies and the U.S. foreign service. This position is empowered to conduct negotiations, interpret and terminate treaties relating to foreign policy, and advise in appointments of diplomats and ambassadors. The Secretary of State also participates in international conferences as the representative for the United States to foreign governments.

The EPA Administrator represents the Environmental Protection Agency and is responsible for enforcing standards in air and water quality, along with establishing environmental policies such as the United States’ Clean Air and Clean Water Acts. The EPA Administrator serves as a key figure in the world’s fight to slow the implications of climate change and continue our nation’s efforts towards greater sustainability. Sustainable practices remained at the forefront for the Dubs during the development of Chase Center, which has been consciously designed to reduce environmental impact.

As Head of the U.S. Department of Justice and the chief lawyer of the federal government, the Attorney General is responsible for representing the United States in all legal matters pertaining to the nation. Like previous positions stated above, the Attorney General is nominated by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Once appointed, the Attorney General advises the president in recommendations for federal judicial positions such as Supreme Court Justice and other leading positions within the department including U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals.

The Warriors maintain committed to strengthening Bay Area communities and, as part of Voters Win, hope to continue their efforts in providing educational resources and advocating for civic participation in the 2020 general election.

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Voters Win: Beyond The Ballot

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Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr details the importance of the Census.

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Steve Kerr: "Let's Make Sure All of Us Get Counted"

A lot is on the line in the upcoming election. Do your homework now and make sure your voter registration is up to date. Text Warriors to 26797 to check your registration status, learn more about vote-by-mail, and find out how COVID is impacting the election process, and get timely reminders about all the elections relevant to you.

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Voters Win: Check Your Voter Registration

The Warriors have partnered with I Am a Voter to provide education and opportunities for voters to participate is elections to determine important issues as related to the economy, healthcare, education, environment, and more. In many states, this can be easily done so by voting with mail-in ballots.

Many states will allow voters to participate in the 2020 General Election from the comfort of their own home by submitting their ballots through the United States Postal Service (USPS). This can be done through two different methods: voting by mail and early voting.

Currently, 46 states offer some form of voting by mail. Learn more about the two variations of voting by mail below, as well as changes being made for the 2020 General Election. Participation in the election through any means in encouraged because Voters Win!

Voting by mail is an option for anyone who are not able to vote at their designated polling location. Those who wish to vote by mail receive their ballot at their last-known place of residence, then must return it through the USPS or deliver it to a drop-off location themselves any time up through Election Day.

The policies for mail-in voting vary state to state, so anyone interested in opting into such programs should verify the procedure for their respective state.

Five states currently hold all of their elections exclusively by mail. Registered voters in these states are automatically sent a ballot at their reported place of residence. These states are:

Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the following states will join those above in automatically mail ballots to registered voters in November:

Many states are adopting new or temporary mail-in policies for this upcoming General Election as well. For a list of states making such changes, see “Changes to Mail-In and Early Voting in 2020” below.

If a member of Dub Nation in the Bay Area would rather hand-in their ballot in person, they will be able to drop-off their mail-in ballots with the Warriors at their ballots in San Francisco, Oakland, and Santa Cruz from October 31 through Election Day on Nov. 3. CLICK HERE for details on locations and drop-off times.

Early voting, also known as absentee voting, is a process by which voters can submit their ballots early. There are states that permit doing so with mail-in ballots.

Additionally, some states permit “no-excuse” early voting, meaning a voter does not need to provide a reason or excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day and can submit their absentee ballot after it has been received by the voter.

Though some states do not offer “no-excuse” early voting, they still allow for early voting but only if the voter provides a reason for the need to vote early and/or by mail. States may require proof of this reasoning too.

Check your state’s guidelines for more information on early voting and details on “no-excuse” early voting procedures.

Changes to Mail-In and Early Voting in 2020

Most states have changed their voting procedures this year in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the addition and/or extension of mail-in and early voting. Those states which have made such changes are:

Remember: members of Dub Nation who reside in the Bay Area can drop off their ballots with the Warriors. The team’s Oakland Facility (1011 Broadway) and the home of the Santa Cruz Warriors, Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz (140 Front Street), will both serve as polling sites and ballot drop-off locations on Election Day, November 3, 2020. Thrive City, the vibrant outdoor district surrounding Chase Center (1 Warriors Way), will serve as a ballot drop-off location for San Francisco County voters from October 31 through November 3 as well.

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Voters Win: How to Vote By Mail

As part of the organization’s ongoing commitment to civic engagement, the Golden State Warriors have announced multiple initiatives in Oakland, San Francisco and Santa Cruz to support voter participation in the 2020 General Election. The team’s Oakland Facility (1011 Broadway) and the home of the Santa Cruz Warriors, Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz (140 Front Street), will both serve as polling sites and ballot drop-off locations on Election Day, November 3, 2020. The Oakland Facility will also serve as a poll worker training location.

Thrive City, the vibrant outdoor district surrounding Chase Center, will serve as a ballot drop-off location for San Francisco County voters from October 31 through November 3. Additionally, the Mercedes-Benz Garage at Thrive City will act as a storage space for equipment and staging area for San Francisco County vehicles as they assist polling locations in San Francisco on Election Day.

Warriors players and coaches, specifically, have voiced the importance of civic engagement, voter participation and creating access to safe in-person voting and drop-off locations. Underscoring their commitment to encouraging voter participation, select players and coaches will be on-hand to aid at the Thrive City mail-in ballot drop-off location in the days leading up to the Election.

“With our facilities in Oakland, San Francisco and Santa Cruz all being utilized to support the 2020 Election process, this ranks as our most critical three-pointer of the year,” said Warriors President and Chief Operating Officer Rick Welts. “For our democracy to work, we all need to exercise our right to vote, and activating all three of these locations will help expand that opportunity for many Bay Area residents.”

Voters statewide can register to vote online, and receive more information for Election Day by visiting registertovote.ca.gov, and are advised to check with their local county for specific Election Day information.

The Warriors will observe Election Day by encouraging active front office participation in civic engagement activities, including voting, working at the polls, staffing voter assistance hotlines and partaking in other volunteer opportunities. In advance of Election Day, the franchise will participate in phone banks to remind citizens to vote and provide team members with poll worker training opportunities and voter registration information.

The Oakland Facility, home to Generation Thrive and Warriors Basketball Academy, will activate as a polling site and ballot drop-off beginning on Saturday, October 31.

Hours for the Oakland Facility polling site and ballot drop-off:

Applications are still being accepted to serve as a poll worker in Alameda County at the Oakland Facility. Those interested in volunteering can apply at www.acvote.org/community/become-a-poll-worker and learn more by calling (510) 272-6971.

San Francisco County voters can drop off their completed mail-in ballots on the northwest corner of Thrive City, outside of Chase Bank, located at the intersection of 3rd Street and Warriors Way.

Hours for the Thrive City ballot drop-off location:

Beginning on Saturday, October 31, Kaiser Permanente Arena will serve as a polling site and ballot drop-off location for Santa Cruz County voters.

Hours for the Kaiser Permanente Arena polling site and ballot drop-off location:

Per Bay Area public health orders, all voters arriving at the Oakland Facility and at Thrive City must wear a face covering at all times. In addition, both locations will enforce physical distancing requirements of at least six feet for those in line to drop off their ballots. As City and County requirements may change, the Warriors will provide updates pertaining to all COVID-19 safety measures as they become available.

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Warriors Announce Oakland Facility and Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz to Serve as Polling Sites for 2020 General Election

Bay Area professional sports teams announced a united effort to support California Proposition 16 on Wednesday.

Prop 16 will restore equal opportunity programs like affirmative action, and help to combat systemic barriers that have historically kept women and BIPOC from receiving their fair chance in the workplace and beyond. The path to ending discrimination is a marathon, not a sprint; and restoring affirmative action is merely a step in that first mile that will tear down biased and unfair roadblocks for all Californians.

When The Bay comes together, incredible things can be accomplished. Get ready to be a part of history with us, Dub Nation! Learn more about Prop 16 here.