LeBron James’ More Than A Vote group brings in over 10,000 poll workers

His organization launched a 'We Got Next' campaign two weeks ago that's already making its mark to impact the vote.

Oct 1, 2020

NBA superstar LeBron James‘ voting rights organization More Than A Vote, in partnership with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, announced on Wednesday that it had recruited more than 10,000 poll workers.

The “We Got Next” campaign was launched less than two weeks ago.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James’ voting rights organization More Than A Vote has recruited over 10,000 poll workers for its “We Got Next” campaign. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The More Than A Vote website simplified the process to become a poll worker by creating an application for potential participants. It explains that working at the polls pays a flat daily rate and that many cities are also providing hazard pay during the 2020 election amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We Got Next” poll workers will also receive PPE and training. The organization sent out voter protection kits that contain a mask, disposable gloves, hand sanitizer and voter information cards.

Forty first-time poll workers were part of the virtual audience during the 2020 NBA Finals’ first game last night between the James-led Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat.

In a letter on the More than a Vote website, the organization describes itself as “a coalition of Black athletes and artists who came together amid the protests fueled by the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by police.”

The group says its creators are “focused on systemic, targeted voter suppression in our community and have a specific mission: educate, energize and protect Black voters.”

“Our organization is not here to tell you who to vote for,” the message reads. “As individuals, we may choose to talk about specific policies or candidates, but as a team, we came together to focus on one issue this year: systemic racism’s impact on our right to vote.”

James and other NBA stars including Draymond Green and Damian Lillard are attached to the project, plus WNBA star Brittney Griner and rap legend Bun B are all involved.

Janell Byrd-Chichester, director of LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute, told CBS News that “our overall objective is both to make sure that there are poll workers manning the polls … and also to make sure that voters have what they need and they can make their plans and prepare to vote whether early voting, voting by mail or voting in person on Election Day.”

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