CLEVELAND — Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will be bustling on Tuesday, but not for the Cavaliers’ bubble-like training camp. In partnership with Cleveland Votes and the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, the Cavs’ home arena will be used as a voter-registration site for National Voter Registration Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ET.
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The two events will not overlap in their use of space. Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 23, the Cavs will conduct on-court workouts, use the locker rooms and rely on the specific entrances used during the season. The voter registration will occur in the atrium, with guests entering from the Sherwin-Williams entrance.
Over the past few months, the Cavs have continued their involvement in the community in various capacities, working with the NAACP and other local grassroots organizations to combat racial injustice in Cleveland. The organization has also turned its attention to voting.
“We know that voting is important, and it’s important for everybody,” said Kevin Clayton, vice president of diversity, inclusion and community engagement. “We want to get involved (with) voting, registration, voter education. So it’s not partisan, it’s everybody. We want to encourage everybody to vote.”
Members of the Cavs franchise have been working with Anthony Perlatti, director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, for the past two months to find ways to become involved in the election. Their initial conversations centered around how they could work together on voter education and registration.
The timing was perfect, as Perlatti was looking for a new polling location downtown. Representatives of the Old Stone Church (First Presbyterian), located on Public Square, indicated to the Board of Elections that due to the pandemic, it could not be a polling location this fall. Perlatti asked the Cavs if they would be interested in housing a polling location. The franchise jumped on the opportunity and invited Perlatti to come and view the space at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Amidst those conversations, Perlatti and his staff mentioned National Voter Registration Day, but before he even had to ask, the Cavs offered up their facility as a location for the event. On Aug. 11, the team announced the usage of the FieldHouse for both Voter Registration Day and as a polling location on Nov. 3.
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Before it was approved as a polling location, though, Perlatti and his staff came to look at the proposed space. There was an ADA compliance checklist the space needed to complete first, so they inspected the lighting, power and accessibility for voters. His staff took measurements to plan for the layout of kiosks, booths, scanners and tables in a manner consistent with social distancing.
The Cavs teamed up with the Browns and Indians organizations to support the event. All three franchises have helped promote the event on their various social media accounts.
The three teams also announced on Aug. 27 the formation of a sports alliance to address social injustice in the city of Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio. Efforts will focus on police-citizen relationships, non-partisan voting activities, education and more.
Perlatti knows how much of an impact the involvement of the Cavs, Browns and Indians can make.
“I can tell a voter about something. And they’ll go, ‘Yeah, whatever, Tony, get out of here.’ And then the Cavs say it, and all of a sudden, it’s like, ‘Yep, that’s what the rules are.’ And that’s fine, as long as the person is getting the correct information,” Perlatti said. “And that’s the kind of power that the sports teams have. (Voters) are interested, they want to hear what they have to say. And the great thing is that the Cavs are working with me and other groups to make sure they’re saying the correct thing.”
While Tuesday’s event is in partnership with Cleveland Votes and the Board of Elections in Cuyahoga County, Perlatti said the Cavs are the host of the event. The Cavs’ mascot, Sir C.C., and the Browns’ mascot, Chomps, will be on hand to greet the public, and music will be provided by DJ Steph Floss. Members of the organization are volunteering and helping to run the event, and Cavs CEO Len Komorowski will be one of the other team representatives in attendance.
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The Board of Elections serves as the coordinator with advocacy groups around the county. They provide the materials for various events, such as registration cards, vote-by-mail applications, educational materials and other documents. The Board of Elections also helps promote these events around the city. The goal is to make sure all of the advocacy groups are providing the correct information to voters.
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There is no clear estimate of how many people will attend the voter-registration event at the FieldHouse, Perlatti said, as the historical data isn’t strong. However, they are implementing the necessary COVID-19 safety protocols and will make every effort to ensure that anyone who attends will practice social distancing. Masks will be required, attendees’ temperatures will be taken and the registration stations will be spaced apart.
Perlatti was also sure to note that National Voter Registration Day is open to anyone to register to vote. In November, however, voting at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will only be available to residents of Cleveland’s Ward 3, which includes precincts I, L and Q. Other registered voters will need to go to their assigned polling location.
The Board of Elections wants to keep polling locations consistent for years. However, Perlatti said that between each major election, there always seems to be at least one change. This year, with the change to the FieldHouse, among others, he said they are beginning the process of sending out notices to voters, informing them of any changes to their polling location. They will also send out a general voter information guide to all registered voters in Cuyahoga County that will also include their voting location.
The hope is that Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will be one of those consistent polling locations going forward.
“What’s come out of these discussions is this is not a one-and-done-type thing,” Perlatti said. “The Cavs are interested in being a permanent partner trying to be involved year after year with voter registration, education and hopefully also as a polling location.”
(Photo: Ken Blaze / USA Today)
