Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels NEWS WNBA Teams Aim to Increase Voter Registration with “Unite the Vote” Challenge by MaryKate Boggan August 19, 2020 Nine WNBA teams announced their participation in the “Unite the Vote” Challenge on Tuesday. The challenge, hosted by the Washington Mystics and non-profit When We All Vote, will allow fans to support their favorite franchises as they register to vote. The Atlanta Dream, Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Las Vegas Aces, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm join the Mystics in the race. The launch date, August 18, commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which gave some women the right to vote. For black women, restrictions remained in place until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 passed 45 years later. Though the WNBA has always advocated for social justice, it takes center stage during the 2020 season. Several players, most notably Natasha Cloud and Maya Moore, are opting-out of play and spending the year focusing on activism. Those participating dedicated the 2020 season to Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old black Louisville EMT killed by police in her own home, and the Say Her Name movement, which raises awareness for Black female victims of police violence. Taylor’s name is displayed on the back of every WNBA jersey, an initiative started by Angel McCoughtry. To honor the larger Black Lives Matter movement, the phrase is on either end of the court and player warm-ups. In addition to these actions, players wore “Vote Warnock” shirts as they arrived at games on August 4. Rev. Raphael Warnock is running for Senate against Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler, a Republican from Georgia who is against Black Lives Matter. Teams have one month to have as many fans as possible register to vote. While all teams are working towards a common goal, the “losing” team will create care packages for homeless families in the winning team’s community. The “Unite the Vote” campaign ends September 18 and the winner will be announced on September 22, National Voter Registration Day. To support your team, click their logo on the Unite the Vote Challenge website and register for the 2020 election. Organizations encourage fans to send the team-specific link to their friends and family to boost their standings. When We All Vote is a nonpartisan non-profit founded by Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. Their goal is to increase participation and reduce barriers to voting. Post Views: 1,039 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts MaryKate Boggan Latest posts by MaryKate Boggan (see all) Twitter Erupts Over Sue Bird’s WNBA and NWSL Comparison - October 21, 2020 Rutgers Alum and WNBA Legend Cappie Pondexter Feared Missing - October 8, 2020 Shey Peddy Sends Mystics Home from WNBA Playoffs After Being Cut by Team - September 16, 2020 UConn Cheerleading Won’t Let COVID-19 Break Their Spirit - September 2, 2020 Related Topicsunite the voteunite the vote challengeWashington Mysticswhen we all voteWNBAwnba voting challenge Click to comment You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! MadFit Dance Workout Videos — Fitness Fun for All by Elizabeth DiPietro | posted on March 15, 2021 Will Michael Jordan’s Exclusive Golf Course Enable Him To Take On The Pros? by Katie Malespina | posted on March 30, 2021 Whoop Rewards Employees With $100 Each Month To Sleep by Inesh Chari | posted on March 22, 2021 Michael Jordan Could Change the Future of Nascar for the Better by Inesh Chari | posted on March 30, 2021 The Mockery of A Sport: Paul vs. Askren by Brandon Berrios | posted on April 19, 2021 More in NEWS French Officials Identify Over 400 Sports Figures Suspected of Sexual Violence Sixty people have faced criminal proceedings, and over 100 have been remove from their... Tim Peel is Discharged After Caught on Hot Mic Tim Peel was Discharged from the NHL After He was Caught on the Hot... Lebron James Leaves Coca-Cola To Sign With Pepsi Lebron James Leaves Coca-Cola To Sign With Pepsi To Be The Face Of Mountain... WNBA Rolling Out Red Carpet For Upcoming 25th Anniversary Season The WNBA’s 25th season also marks the debut of the WNBA Commissioner’s Cup. Baseline Jumper, Episode 135: NBA Playoffs First Round Preview (Audio) UNC Student-Athletes and the Joke that is Amateurism