JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With the upcoming local, state and national elections this year, the Jacksonville Jaguars are calling on fans and players to get in the game, get registered, and get out and vote with its 'DUUUVAL Votes,' launching today on National Voter Registration Day. The focus of the initiative is comprised of three components: voter education, registration and engagement.
The initiative is aligned with NFL Votes, a league-wide, nonpartisan initiative that supports and encourages civic engagement among NFL players and Legends, club and league personnel, and fans.
Fans at the Jaguars' home opener vs. the Browns got a sneak peek of the campaign with endzone messaging and a public service announcement promoting voter registration and awareness and directing fans to the DUUUVAL Votes website from players TE Evan Engram and DE Arik Armstead, Jaguars Legend David Garrard and Special Teams Coordinator Heath Farwell. In the Fan Entertainment Zone before kickoff, the Duval County Supervisor of Elections team provided voting resources, dates to remember and assisted in voter registration sign ups as well.
"The Jaguars are committed to civic engagement through voting and want players, coaches, staff and fans to understand the registration process and resources available to make informed decisions," said T-Neisha Tate, Jaguars vice president of social responsibility. "As a part of our activation with the NFL's voting programming and Inspire Change initiative, DUUUVAL Votes will work to engage voter responsibility and drive registration while striving for civility during this season."
The Jaguars and the NFL teamed up with RISE to Vote, a national nonpartisan organization that educates and empowers the sports community to champion social justice and improve race relations. The team organized training for Jaguars players and staff with organization to be aware of educational resources, voter status and registration tools, and civil discourse. With players, RISE also assisted in navigating the process to obtaining an absentee ballot if needed for those players that joined the team more recently.
Leading up to Election Day on Nov. 5, fans can expect regular updates on voting deadlines and activations via social media and on game day, including more opportunities for fans to register to vote. Prior to the Oct. 27 game, the Jaguars will also host a Brunch and Ballots tailgate with RISE, The Players Coalition and 904Ward with 200 civility-engaged college-aged students and young professionals to get them engaged in the voting process.
For more information, visit www.jaguars.com/vote.
