Michelle Obama and LeBron James partner to bring early voters to the U.S. polls

By Trevor Hunnicutt

 

FILE PHOTO: Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks in a frame grab from the live video feed of the all virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention, August 17, 2020. 2020 Democratic National Convention/POOL via REUTERS

 

(Reuters) - A get-out-the vote group led by former first lady Michelle Obama will team up with an organization backed by NBA star LeBron James to provide food, protective gear, free legal advice and rides to the polls for people voting early in the U.S. election.

 

Obama's "When We All Vote" and James' "More Than A Vote" will host catered events featuring professional DJs and guest appearances by celebrities near polling locations to encourage early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election, the groups said in a statement.

 

As part of the initiative, Ride-hailing firm Lyft Inc will offer discounted rides to early voting sites and the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the Election Protection Coalition will provide attorneys who can advocate for voters casting their ballots in the showdown between President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden.

 

Early voting is surging, as Americans try to avoid Election Day crowds because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Nationally, more than 10 million votes have been cast, as of Tuesday, according to data compiled by the U.S. Elections Project.

 

"Millions of Americans have already cast their ballots and with only 21 days until Election Day, making your plan to vote early is critical," Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic former President Barack Obama, said in a statement. "We can't leave anyone behind."

 

Her group will provide $1 million in grants and supplies to local partner organizations for the effort, according to the statement.

 

Some of the events will take place in cities in closely contested states, including Atlanta, Georgia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Detroit, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Orlando, Florida; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

Georgia is among states that opened early voting locations this week, with some people waiting for hours in long lines to cast their ballots.

 

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt in New York; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-10-14

 

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Good I allready voted it was wonderful to see my fellow Americans taking their civic responsibility seriously bless them all dem rep and independent!

I have gained alot of respect for LeBron. He really puts himself out there. Though he is a huge star and has a brand, unlike Jordan he is not timid about taking a strong stand, and doing what he feels needs to get done. That takes guts and conviction. And in this instance, I believe he is on the right side of history. Trump must go. The destruction, chaos, and insanity must stop. Besides, by now nearly everyone knows the guy cannot negotiate his way out of a paper bag. 

 

It is downright dangerous as a nation, to have a leader that fails at nearly anything he touches. 

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by spidermike007

I agree that Trump has to go, and don't you know he is immune now, so

he probably thinks that he can touch the whole world, as he thinks that

he is the hero, covid 19 virus survivor. Any word on the first lady or other

White house staff members and how they are recovering from the virus?

  I am sick of hearing only about Trump and his latest twitter.

Geezer

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Georgia is among states that opened early voting locations this week, with some people waiting for hours in long lines to cast their ballots.

 

When people have to wait hours in long lines even for early voting, that indicates there is something seriously wrong with the voting system in the US

6 minutes ago, Susco said:

 

When people have to wait hours in long lines even for early voting, that indicates there is something seriously wrong with the voting system in the US

Could that be because the Governor Brian Kemp and the Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan are Republicans? Could just be coincidental or perhaps maybe not. 

3 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

11 minutes ago, Susco said:

 

When people have to wait hours in long lines even for early voting, that indicates there is something seriously wrong with the voting system in the US

Could that be because the Governor Brian Kemp and the Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan are Republicans? Could just be coincidental or perhaps maybe not. 

And the way to fix that? Vote out the incumbent who is doing everything he can to suppress the vote. Duh!

7 hours ago, webfact said:

A get-out-the vote group led by former first lady Michelle Obama will team up with an organization backed by NBA star LeBron James to provide food, protective gear, free legal advice and rides to the polls for people voting early in the U.S. election.

Lebron James a star, athletically ,not so much ,politically !

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by riclag

12 minutes ago, J Town said:

And the way to fix that? Vote out the incumbent who is doing everything he can to suppress the vote. Duh!

That was tried in the last gubernatorial election. Kemp. did everything he could to suppress the vote and he succeeded.

1 minute ago, placeholder said:

That was tried in the last gubernatorial election. Kemp. did everything he could to suppress the vote and he succeeded.

And the burned hand teaches best. People are angry, p!ssed off, and now they're turning up in record numbers. Almost all of them wearing masks, and you know what THAT means!

6 minutes ago, riclag said:

Lebron James a star, athletically and  sadly ,politically !

Why shouldnt he be political, is it illegal? He is helping people vote. Good on him.

29 minutes ago, Susco said:

 

When people have to wait hours in long lines even for early voting, that indicates there is something seriously wrong with the voting system in the US

Exactly. They make it so hard to vote. Should have voting stations everywhere so waiting time about 30 mins. Especially with the virus hanging around.

13 minutes ago, riclag said:

Lebron James a star, athletically ,not so much ,politically !

People said the same for Colin Kaepernick. Now, only racists continue to do so.

10 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Exactly. They make it so hard to vote. Should have voting stations everywhere so waiting time about 30 mins. Especially with the virus hanging around.

I don't know why the state election committees haven't  set them up at  Walmart Super Centers and Target locations  imop!  Tons of people go to these locations safely and food shop every day, many cities have multiple locations!

You got these in your country?

 

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by riclag

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

I don't know why the state election committees haven't  set them up at  Walmart Super Centers and Target locations  imop!  Tons of people go to these locations safely and food shop every day, many cities have multiple locations!

You got these in your country?

 

I hardly ever agree with you, but this would make sense. In my particular city, one of many voting centers is set up at a church, right across from a large shopping center and huge apartment complex. Ample parking, NEVER a wait. The people coordinating the voting are trained and the process is near perfect. It should be that way and CAN be save that certain states know if the turnout is good, the people in power get thrown out.

6 minutes ago, riclag said:

I don't know why the state election committees haven't  set them up at  Walmart Super Centers and Target locations  imop!  Tons of people go to these locations safely and food shop every day, many cities have multiple locations!

You got these in your country?

 

Poll venues need to be in politically neutral locations (ie., schools, libraries, fire stations) where the voters can be shielded from nonvoting general public, protestors, campaigners. Even major store chains may have via shareholders, CEO and Board of Directors political agendas. 

1 hour ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I agree that Trump has to go, and don't you know he is immune now, so

he probably thinks that he can touch the whole world, as he thinks that

he is the hero, covid 19 virus survivor. Any word on the first lady or other

White house staff members and how they are recovering from the virus?

  I am sick of hearing only about Trump and his latest twitter.

Geezer

Just to note that only Trump says he's immune. Not even his puppet doctor has made such announcement.

1 minute ago, Srikcir said:

Just to note that only Trump says he's immune. Not even his puppet doctor has made such announcement.

but he has demonstrated quite well, that the so called Tests are flawed 

 

 - It said he had it - but he's still walkin'&talkin' ???? 

21 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Poll venues need to be in politically neutral locations (ie., schools, libraries, fire stations) where the voters can be shielded from nonvoting general public, protestors, campaigners. Even major store chains may have via shareholders, CEO and Board of Directors political agendas. 

Locations ,not in the store !  Outside these stores they have large areas to set up polling facilities .

 All these locations have no political  influence !

Do you have them in your country,Walmarts,Target

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by riclag

34 minutes ago, J Town said:

People said the same for Colin Kaepernick. Now, only racists continue to do so.

Here we go the race card ! Not to mention CK isn't in the topic

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by riclag

27 minutes ago, riclag said:

I don't know why the state election committees haven't  set them up at  Walmart Super Centers and Target locations  imop!  Tons of people go to these locations safely and food shop every day, many cities have multiple locations!

You got these in your country?

 

Because one party doesn't want a lot of people to vote.  In Texas the Republican governor has limited early voting polling stations to one per country.  This is ok in rural counties (predominantly Republican) with thousands of people, but ridiculous in urban counties (where most of the Democrats reside) with millions of people.

 

"Texas' governor has ordered that voters can drop off their mail-in ballots at only one location per county in the lead-up to the presidential election."

 

"There are counties in the west as big as small US states. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a population larger than a dozen European nations. It has an economy roughly the size of Russia's."   https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54380684

 

In all fairness the Dallas-Fort Worth area is spread over 11 counties.  So that means 11 polling stations to accommodate early voting in a metro area with approximately 7.5 million people.

 

26 minutes ago, J Town said:

I hardly ever agree with you, but this would make sense. In my particular city, one of many voting centers is set up at a church, right across from a large shopping center and huge apartment complex. Ample parking, NEVER a wait. The people coordinating the voting are trained and the process is near perfect. It should be that way and CAN be save that certain states know if the turnout is good, the people in power get thrown out.

I think in australia you vote at the local schools, all suburbs have them, less crowded, easy parking.

5 minutes ago, riclag said:

Here we go the race card !

only if they force you to use a Black pencil 

1 hour ago, placeholder said:

That was tried in the last gubernatorial election. Kemp. did everything he could to suppress the vote and he succeeded.

he did everything but could he organize a priority fastlane for GOP registred voters voting in person ? Would it be legal? LOL

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by Opl

1 hour ago, Stargrazer9889 said:

I agree that Trump has to go, and don't you know he is immune now, so

he probably thinks that he can touch the whole world, as he thinks that

he is the hero, covid 19 virus survivor. Any word on the first lady or other

White house staff members and how they are recovering from the virus?

  I am sick of hearing only about Trump and his latest twitter.

Geezer

Between 8am and 10am he tweeted 48 times which makes a tweet every two and a half minutes uninterrupted for two hours, what man with all his head would behave like that?

Just been reading about people standing in line to vote for 6, 8 or even 12hours due to lack of ballot boxes.

Voter suppression is alive and very well in the USA today, apparently. 

Let the next 21 days pass quickly. 

4 minutes ago, Jonnapat said:

Just been reading about people standing in line to vote for 6, 8 or even 12hours due to lack of ballot boxes.

Voter suppression is alive and very well in the USA today, apparently. 

Let the next 21 days pass quickly. 

Republicans all over America have conceded that the only way their brand would have a chance is to suppress the voting....i.e., cheat. 

1 hour ago, Berkshire said:

Republicans all over America have conceded that the only way their brand would have a chance is to suppress the voting....i.e., cheat. 

 

With "Mr. I cannot make a deal to save my life" 12 points behind in the latest polls, republican senators and congressmen are starting to distance themselves from the train wreck they see coming. And there is nothing Trump can do at this stage, to arrest his stunning decline. Nothing. His rallies only make his supporters happy. And those 36% or so, of the electorate, are not going to win him an election. If he were smart, (which he demonstrates time and again, he is not) he would figure out a way to appeal to the suburban women. But, he cannot. He has no appeal to them anymore. So, he drones on and on during his rallies, and if anything he alienates more and more of the undecided voters.

 

There is an important thing to understand about the dynamics at play here. Every time the polls drop, those are HIS SUPPORTERS, who are defecting. That is all he has now. So many of his former supporters are put off by how unhinged, unstable, angry, incoherent, inarticulate, hateful, incompetent, and irrational he is. And his health appears to have been in decline, long before he caught Covid, and became a super spreader. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm an Aussie that couldn't give a continental about the U.S. elections,however in the last 4 years he's been President I have never seen a President have more biased reporting against him or for any other western leader for that matter,he is constantly attacked over anything and everything, to make it worse he was really getting the U.S back on track for creating jobs and boosting the economy,then the covid 19 came along,even though it came out of China the U.S. main stream media made out that it's Trumps fault..! For Christ's sake get a grip you fools,most of the world is laughing at your childish behaviour and I for one would rather have Trump than that Dim-Wit Biden as our Ally.

1 hour ago, Jonnapat said:

Just been reading about people standing in line to vote for 6, 8 or even 12hours due to lack of ballot boxes.

Voter suppression is alive and very well in the USA today, apparently. 

Let the next 21 days pass quickly. 

You got a source  for this dem narrative  ,voter suppression caused ,8,12 hours ,JP!

There are legitimate factual non conspirator  sources below

 

This source said "Elections officials say those long lines at the polls had nothing to do with any systematic failure, but the sheer volume of people voting. As of about 10 p.m., Channel 2′s crews still found people waiting in line to vote at a polling location in Cobb County".

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/live-updates-huge-crowds-take-advantage-early-voting-georgia/GNV4X5RXXNFIFNDSZC5FHJV4LI/

Edited October 14, 20205 yr by riclag