Newark Wants To Create Super Polling Site At Prudential Center – Newark, NJ Patch

NEWARK, NJ — The 2020 general election is primed to be one of the biggest political events in recent U.S. history. And it deserves an equally mammoth venue in New Jersey’s largest city, advocates say.

On Monday, Newark officials announced plans to open a “Super Polling Site” at the Prudential Center. The arena, which has a capacity of 19,500 people, normally hosts concerts and serves as the home stadium of the New Jersey Devils hockey team.

Pending approval from the Essex County Board of Elections, the Super Polling Site will serve as a polling place for Newark residents from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The nearby deck at 15 Lafayette Street will provide free parking to voters on Election Day.

Meanwhile, the Super Polling Site would also host a secure ballot drop box for residents voting via mail. Ballots dropped off at the Prudential Center will be accessed and processed solely by the Essex County Board of Elections, which would have a satellite office at the arena.

Visitors would also be able to apply for a mail-in ballot or register to vote, officials said.

In addition to election outreach, the site would serve as a U.S. Census hotspot, where Newark residents could get help filling out and returning their 2020 forms by the Sept. 30 deadline.

A high-profile lineup gathered virtually on Monday to push for the proposed polling site, including Los Angeles Lakers star and New Jersey native J.R. Smith, New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way, Essex County Board of Elections Clerk Linda Von Nessi, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and representatives from the National Basketball Players Association and the New Jersey Devils.

“The 2020 Presidential Election is going to be one of the most critical events in our nation’s history,” Baraka said. “COVID-19 has created great challenges for this election, but we want to ensure every single resident is able to cast their vote, so that their voices are heard in determining the direction of our country.”

Smith, who played high school basketball at Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, had a key role in bringing the initiative to life. The NBA player said he was “proud and happy” to be teaming up with the city, as well as to help bring change to the community.

NBPA Executive Director Michele Roberts backed Smith up, saying that the league’s players have been “unequivocal” in their support and promotion of easy access to voting throughout their communities.

“This initiative is just one example of the direct actions being taken by our members, including J.R.,” Roberts said.

Josh Harris and David Blitzer, managing partners for the group that owns the New Jersey Devils and the Prudential Center, said the company was proud to give Newark residents a “safe, easily accessible option” to exercise their right to vote.

“It’s always been important for us to share the Prudential Center’s incredible resources with our community and as such, we are excited to uphold our collective civic responsibility to help citizens cast their ballot, however they may choose,” the pair said in a joint statement.

There are already outreach events planned for the Super Polling Site, including a voter registration and Census event on Tuesday, Sept. 22 for National Voter Registration Day.

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