PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eagles have partnered with the Office of the City Commissioners to host a pop-up ballot drop box at Lincoln Financial Field for voters ahead of Election Day. Less than two weeks out from the big day, on this chilly, but crisp Sunday morning, another pop-up drop box appeared in Lot K outside the Linc.
Accompanying the ballot box were city commissioner staff members and Eagles cheerleaders.
Taylor Wilson is the community relations coordinator with the Eagles, and one of the minds behind the pop-up ballot drop box.
“We understand that it’s super important to show our support for the election and civic participation even if it’s on a game day and it’s away. We want people to know that this is something we’re thinking about.”
Deputy City Commissioner Nick Custodio said the partnership, to promote voting and give Philadelphia sports fans a chance to do their civic duty, is perfect.
“A lot of Philadelphians, their lives revolve around the Eagles. So for us to partner with the Eagles to get our message out on the importance of voting and to make sure to vote is a real big thing for us,” Custodio said.
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This and other drop boxes also help with voter turnout, which is historically low in non-presidential voting years in Philly.
However, Custodio said the local bend this year makes it the most important for Philadelphians.
“This is the mayor. This is the local judges. These are the appellate judges. This is your city council. This is your row offices. These are the people that will decide anything from property tax rates to trash collection.”
Wilson says that civic engagement runs deep in the Eagles organization.
“We start from inside our building, with getting our rookies registered as soon as they join the team, making sure our players are aware of how they can request absentee ballots or how they can vote here in Philadelphia.”
Externally, Wilson said the team is also always looking for ways to connect and give back to its community off the football field.
He says civic engagement is and will remain a big part of that.
“I think there are a lot of decisions that are made without people’s understanding or consciousness all the time, so making sure that we use this great platform that we have to bring people’s attention to, in this case, a local election, I think is very important.”