Major professional sports unions in the U.S. are taking a stand against restrictive voting rights bills proposed in several states, including Georgia, where a controversial bill passed in March.
The Basketball Players Union, Major League Soccer Players Association, National Football League Players Association and United States Women’s National Team Players Association are among the nine unions that signed a letter Monday, condemning legislation “that if passed, could make it harder for ordinary citizens to cast their ballots in future election seasons.”
The unions said they oppose states’ legislative efforts “aimed at restricting the right to vote,” and that they “join the hundreds of individuals, foundations and corporations in taking a ‘Stand for Democracy.'”
Similarly, some executives at Georgia-headquartered companies like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines issued public statements opposing the state’s voting rights bill last month.
Major League Baseball also made a statement against the Georgia bill, pulling its Midsummer Classic from Atlanta. The league moved the All-Star game to Coors Field in Denver over objections to the sweeping changes to the state’s voting laws.
JPMorgan Chase, ViacomCBS, Citi and Microsoft also joined opposition the law which, among other things, requires a photo ID in order to vote absentee by mail. The law also limits the time period allotted to request an absentee ballot and where ballot drop boxes can be placed.
