Wolves, Lynx launch Pack the Vote initiative to provide voter resources; Target Center not to be used as polling place

Josh Skluzacek
[KSTP]

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday announced they started the Pack the Vote initiative to help provide voters with resources and assist with voter registration for the upcoming November election.

"As we continue to develop programming to support our community and build a more equitable society, removing barriers and encouraging all to exercise their right to vote is a key component to initiating change," Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson said in a statement. "Our new civic engagement initiative, Pack the Vote, will focus on increasing voter registration, providing voter education and resources, and inspiring civic engagement."

As part of the initiative, the organization is partnering with three local nonprofits: When We All Vote, RISE to Vote and I am a voter.

Wolves, Lynx join Rally the Vote to improve voter registration

The organization also rolled out the following resources Tuesday:

  • Voter Registration Portal: An online portal to help Timberwolves and Lynx fans across the country to register to vote in their respective states, not limited to Minnesota. To access the online portal and register to vote, click here.
  • Pack The Vote Website: The Pack the Vote website provides access to voter education, facts, resources, the 2020 Census and instructions on how to volunteer at polling sites on Election Day via Power the Polls, as well as access to the voter registration portal. To view the Pack the Vote website, click here.
  • Text Service: Fans can text the word "PACK" to 26797 to register to vote, check registration status and receive reminders leading up to the election.

The organization said Pack the Vote will evolve into an ongoing annual initiative to help Timberwolves and Lynx fans and the community stay informed about local and national elections, provide educational voter resources, voter support for future elections and encourage civic engagement.

Meanwhile, the city of Minneapolis confirmed to KSTP that it doesn’t plan to use Target Center as a polling location. Several cities across the country have announced plans to use empty sports stadiums as polling places for the November election.