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The NBA has officially cleared its schedule for Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, as part of a league-wide initiative to encourage civic participation. By pausing all games, the league aims to ensure that fans, players, and staff have the opportunity to head to the polls and make their voices heard in the midterm elections.
This decision is the cornerstone of the 2026 "Get In The Game. VOTE." campaign, a project that emphasizes the importance of voting as a fundamental aspect of community engagement. To build momentum ahead of the break, all 30 NBA teams played on Monday, with players wearing special shirts during pregame warmups to highlight the initiative.
A League-Wide Commitment to Civic Action
The "Get In The Game. VOTE." campaign, which was first launched in 2022 in collaboration with the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), focuses heavily on mobilizing younger voters. With over 50 million Gen Z individuals eligible to cast ballots, the league is leveraging its platform to inspire participation among a demographic that plays a significant role in shaping future community decisions.
The initiative features contributions from across the league, including public service announcements and digital content. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jared McCain utilized his experience as a content creator to produce behind-the-scenes videos, while coach Doc Rivers also contributed to the campaign's messaging. Additionally, Detroit Pistons personnel, including coach J.B. Bickerstaff and players Duncan Robinson and Taurean Prince, participated in a "Teammate Talk" series to discuss the impact of voting within their local communities.
Collaborations and Resources for Voters
Beyond internal efforts, the NBA has partnered with several non-partisan organizations to bolster the democratic process. These include "When We All Vote," "Civic Nation," and "Power The Polls." A significant focus has been placed on "Vet The Vote," an organization that has successfully recruited more than 176,000 military veterans and their family members to serve as poll workers across the United States.
James Cadogan, executive director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition, noted that the act of voting is an empowering tool for citizens to shape the future. Similarly, Erika Swilley of the NBPA Foundation emphasized that the campaign serves as a reminder that players' influence extends well beyond the basketball court. For those seeking non-partisan information regarding polling locations and procedures, the league has provided a dedicated resource hub at nba.com/elections.