Vote 76 Rountable (Vote 76 Week)

care a lot about the city. We know that voting is one of the most important things we can do in our democracy, and so anyway that we can help get the word out about how to vote, we absolutely want to do that this election cycle. There's no shortage of critical issues. You have lots of options this year, and we've loved for everyone to take advantage of all of the new and convenient ways that you can cast your ballot. This year, we are motivated to get young

people registered to vote. We know that it's often an overlooked block of voters, but can often use some guidance on how to engage more civically, and we want to make that easier. Artists, producers, labelheads. Our platform is so big and we're so influential in the inner communities because we come from that, so us bringing awareness, We'll make

it a cool thing. I'm Brian Seltzer and for National Voter Education Week, we're joined by an awesome panel that's come together with one simple mission in mind, and that is to get out the vote. This is a Vote seventy six Roundtable special the seventy six Ers Podcast Network. Not only is it National Voter Education Week, it has also Vote seventy six Week here on the seventy six Ers Podcast Network. The roundtable you are about to hear is the second part of three installments in our Vote

seventy six mini series. You definitely should check out and listen to a great conversation between the Man, Tom McGinnis and another fantastic human being, legendary former ref Philadelphia native Joey Crawford. He's got a great backstory as to why he felt in spy and moved to launch his own

get out the Vote initiative this year. We've also got an episode in the work set to drop on October thirteenth, that features doc rivers Matisse Thybel and Kyle O'Quinn sharing their thoughts on the significance of voting, especially in this election year. For this roundtable, though, I wanted to bring on a group of panels who are all connected in some way, shape or form to the seventy six ers

Vote seventy six platform. For more information any details on resources you can use ahead of November the third, just visit sixers dot com slash vote seventy six. All right, Rather than introduce our four panelists myself, I'm going to let them do the heavy lifting, so I don't watch any pronunciations or titles or affiliations, and also give you an opportunity to become familiar with the sound of their voice over the next twenty five minutes. So here we go.

Are excellent, esteemed most helpful roundtable. Hi, I'm Eric Devon. I am here representing the Anti Defamation League of Philadelphia's Associate Board, and I'm a local psychiatrist in the Philadelphia area. Here to speak about the our time our vote initiative between the ad L Philadelphia and Urban League Him Thanks for having me. I'm Rachel Boss. I'm with the Pennsylvania Department of State and I'm here on behalf of the Bureau of Campaign Finance and Civic Engagement. I oversee our

vote or outreach and education efforts this year. So it's all ready to vote outreach efforts. I'm Jo Little Beats Rod Nation music producer, Grammy Award winner. I'm representing the Urban League of Philadelphia David Gold, Chief Impact and Diversity Officer for the seventy sixes. I'm working close with our team here at the sixes on our vote seven six initiatives. Let's start guys with something really, Why it is National

Voter Education Week. What role do you feel you, the organizations you represent, your platforms have in simply getting out the vote. Why don't we start with Jalil. Yeah, So I've actually started, um the day before yesterday. Um, I've had the city I'm from. I'm from Chester, PA. So, um, you know, I partnered up with the Urban League. I'm actually on the board of the Urban League Philadelphia, and um, you know I used my sneaker store. I have the

first signature DTLR Downtown Locker Room in downtown CHESTERPA. So just using that as a hub and a facility to come uh and vote, you know what I mean. So it was a great turnout and just creating opportunities form the inner city to vote. And that's my that's the that's the most important thing for me, and um, that's what we've been able to do, and we're trying to open up at least three more locations in the city

of Chester. Tremendous. That's awesome, Rachel, what do you um? So, the Pennsylvania Department of State is the state agency that is tasked with overseeing elections around the commonwealth. So we have been hard at work making sure that we're implementing our new u election reform laws that went into effect at the end of twenty nineteen and in the beginning

of twenty twenty. So basically, we're working to make sure that if you turn out to vote, that that's going to happen smoothly, um, and that you have lots of options this year and implementing all of those options. So, UM, we'd love for everyone to take advantage of all of the new and convenient ways that you can cast your

ballot this year. Eric. So, Um, I'm here you know, representing the the ADL Philadelphia and the partnership with the with Urban Ling our Time, our Vote initiative, and um, we are motivated to get young people registered to vote and excited about voting. We know that it's often in an over block of voters that cares a lot about the issues, but um can often use some guidance and how to engage more civically, and we want to make

that easier. Get the information out and have a place for people to go and access information, register to vote, and do all all the things that they can do to to have their voices be heard. And David, this all of course is happening under the umbrel at least in this form of the seventy six ers Vote seventy six initiative. From where you sit, why was it critical for the organization to get involved in helping spread the

word in terms of getting out the vote. Yeah, I mean I think we uh, you know, we this is this is work that you know, our partners at the ADL and the Department of State and an Urban League to engage in on an ongoing basis, even when we're

not in the midst of a presidential election. I think what we have the opportunity to do at the Sixers is make sure that we can amplify the important messages and information that all of our partner to have around how to vote safely and securely this election so you know, we obviously have a large fan base. We're Philadelphia brand.

We care a lot about the city. We know that voting is one of the most important things we can do in our democracy, and so anyway that we can help get the word out about how to vote and amplify the message of our partners, we absolutely want to do that. Of course, there's this one aspect of it where voting is you're right, it's a right that people have fought for over years for everyone to have. But then there's this other part of it where it's it's

kind of like your duty too, isn't it. And I'm sure that there's a part of you that wants people to feel that empowerment in going out to try and bring about whatever change it is they want to see in their local communities, their state, country, the world. Right. Yeah, I think that is very important. I mean, you look at the history. I mean, I mean, being a black man in America, we've been, you know, fighting for so

long to kind of get that equal vote. So now that we had that equal vote, it's important to kind of bring that awareness. I think that my generation kinds of forgets what's the most important thing, you know, what I mean when we talk about affordable healthcare, affordable housing, funding for school and even now what's going on in the world with justice reform and all that we have the voice, you know, I mean, we fall for this, and I think that we need to understand that, you know,

we fought for this. So let's try to take this and take advantage of this and actually get out there and vote, because you know, just what's going on in the world, a lot of I mean, even speaking for black people, a lot of people are very discouraged of you know, their vote not even matter. We still have to get out there and try to make a change. Rachel, I feel like and correct me if I'm wrong, if this is a question that shouldn't be steered your direction.

So it sounds like in your role, it's about making sure that people don't feel that there are barriers to vote. Correct, And what are some of the things that you guys from a state government level, are trying to ensure that

people if they want to get out and vote. I mean, especially in the world that we're living in now, how different voting is going to be in this election cycle, and making sure that if you want to vote and you are registered to vote that you can vote, Yeah, absolutely, I mean this year is different for voters in Pennsylvania. And even before the COVID nineteen pandemic started, the Pennsylvania legislature passed reform bills that allowed for voting by mail

for all registered Pennsylvanians. So you now have three ways to vote. Essentially, you can vote a mail in or absentee ballot by mail, you can go in person to your county election office or a satellite office to vote that mail in or absentee ballot over the counter, or you can vote in person on election day. So voting is absolutely a right that we should all exercise, and we now have more opportunities in Pennsylvania than ever before

to do that. So I just want to make sure you know, we have the Department of State want to make sure that everyone knows about these different options and that they choose whichever option works for them, They make a plan, and that they follow through on that plan. Terrific. And again some key dates for anyone who's listening out there in the local area. For Pennsylvania, registration deadline is October nineteenth, Delaware is October the tenth, and New Jersey

is October the thirteenth. You know, it was interesting, Eric, because in what I do professionally, I don't even know if if it needs to fall into what you do professionally, but I'm constantly scrolling, like throughout the day, checking my timeline, whether it's on Twitter, Instagram, those sort of things, And you see this massive energy, all encompassing in terms of messaging this time of year, getting out the vote campaigns

on either side trying to get their message out. So you would think inherently that given the space where this is happening, there is a lot of engagement among young people. But it sounds like that's something that your organization is really focused on making sure that I guess perhaps activity you might see on social media and engagement there translates

to action at the actual polls. Yeah, so we we've you know, started up a heavy handed uh digital campaign UM digital postcards, UM, social media tool kits and things like that to do exactly what you're talking about and have a lot of activity online, but the key is translating that into into action at the polls and getting people, um, you know, to take that next step and you know, to piggyback on which Alil said is that it's it's

not just about who's in the White House. It's it's you look around you, and it's it's voting for the people who are going to have impact on the schools that your kids go to, on the roads, on policing, on prosecuting, public transit, local programs like job job training, UM and these are all things that people really care deeply about in their everyday lives, and you can see it online and and we want to make sure that the information of how to turn that into a vote

is easily access and available, and that people have a plan and know what to do to make their vote count. I'm going to start this with David Gold from the seventy six ers, and you can all feel free to chime in if you'd like and have had experience with it. But this seems at least compared to other years in my lifetime, and I'm reminder the thirties that people from all walks of life this election cycle has their attention.

And on the seventy six ers side, we're seeing it from everyday employees to NBA All Stars and All league players who are getting involved. David, can you take us behind the scenes and how the organization has tried to work with some of its stars in terms of amplifying messaging for getting out the vote. Yeah. I mean, I think as a lot of folks have probably seen, voting is definitely an initiative that our players have taken up.

It's something that you know, our home players in terms of Kylo Quinn and Mtista will have personally spoke about. We know that for the league as a whole, In the NBA Players Association, it's something they've really made an effort to do, not only to encourage others to vote, but also lead by example and making sure that I think Chris Paul came out with a m announcement yesterday. Think now ninety percent of the players are registered, which

is great. UM. And you know, I think it's just really important that as a as a whole right now, as a league, as an organization, um Uh, there's just a lot of attention on the importance of voting UM and that you know, I think Jalil said earlier that you know, some people feel like their vote, their vote doesn't really count, UM and regardless of who you're voting for. UM. In the last presidential election, there were a lot of states that were decided by you know, just a handful

of thousand of votes. And um, I think Matise said in one of his videos that, um, I forget if it was Mattis or Kyle that, like, you know, one person can think that, you know, my vote doesn't count, so I'm not going to go to the polls. But then when you have a million people thinking that way, that's a million voices whose whose voices is not heard, and those have real implications in terms of what the

outcome of an election is. So, UM, I think we just have an opportunity right now, given all of the conversation attention there is to this election, to really elevate the importance of voting, and not just for November third, but hopefully it's momentum that that sustains beyond this election cycle and beyond this year. Again, like, this is something that is going to be very important for our communities

wherever we may live. Um, we're putting people in office who make decisions about you know, our lives, what resources go to our communities, decisions that are made that that will really impact all of us. So I think right now we're sort of at a we sort of have this swell of energy that hopefully we can sustain both

for this election but also beyond Julia. We've kind of lived it, and I say we more so David and I. On the sports level, just seeing how some of the athletes have been involved in trying to get out the vote. Take us inside the music industry. What's the enthusiasm been like there for getting out the vote? Yeah, I think it's more about the message and using social media platforms.

I mean, you look at my partner, Meet Mill, He's been like going really hard as far as the social justice reform and all that, you know, working alongside about um Robert Kraft and um, um Jay Z and uh and actually you know the Sixers and UM, you know, just getting I mean, our platform is so big and UM, we're so influential in uh, the inner communities because we come from that, so us bringing um, you know, awareness, Um whereas though you know it's well, we'll make it

a cool thing, you know what I mean. UM, a lot of things that uh, you know the inner city look at um, outside of just hip hop and and maybe sports, they can't really relate to, so us trying to make voting a cool thing is the biggest importance right now. So a lot of um, you know, artists, producers, um label heads, everybody is trying to bring awareness. And I mean same thing with you know, with Pup Daddy p Diddy when he did the vote Vote or diet campaign.

It's really just taking our platform and making it a cool thing to do, because right now, you know, it's not looked at as a cool thing. Rachel, I gotta ask that working on the government level, do does the Commonwealth? It has to know, right the significance that it has, because I'm just like saying from the outside, all you hear about is swing. This swing that in Pennsylvania is

always a state that is mentioned. So I would have to think that also leans into how seriously you guys take your position and making sure that these processes, especially this year, can be as accessible and run as smoothly

as possible. That's absolutely right. I mean, we have really incredible teams here working on all facets of elections for everything from the security of our voting systems to you know, the outreach and engagement that I do, to working as liaisons with the cows who actually administer the elections at the local level. UM and all of these moving pieces really come together to make this UM, this kind of

complex puzzle of convenient, safe and secure elections in Pennsylvania. UM. And there's nothing you know, more important for for our team than making sure that UM that the election you know, runs smoothly and that everyone has the opportunity to vote. So UM, yeah, absolutely, it's our it's our top priority. UM. And just uh, you know, thinking about what what Jhalia was sharing about, UM, people sharing messages on social media,

people that are influential within their communities. UM, that's such an important piece of making sure that voters get UM the information that they need. Is sharing, is sharing good and accurate information. You hear so much about disinformation that gets spread UM, and it gets spread so easily and quickly. So in order to support folks that really do have those these incredible platforms where they have a lot of viewers and a lot of followers, the Department of State

does make some materials available on our website. We have ready to vote toolkit where you can go and just

like grab graphics, grab information. You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter and you know, reshare that information and you can always rest assured that you're getting trusted and accurate information about elections in Pennsylvania from the Pennsylvania Department of State, you know, And I just you don't want to encourage everyone that has that power to make sure that you're getting your information from verified sources because you're looked to as a trusted members of your communities. And

what are those websites and handles, Rachel? Our main web page is votespa dot com. That's vot Eespa dot com. And you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Our Facebook handle is at PA Department of State and Twitter is PA State Department, but department is abbreviated, so it's PA State d et excellent. You know. I'll be honest, I've in my life encountered very few obstacles in terms

of access to education. But still I feel like at times I could have been more informed about the issues that are on the ballot and keeping myself informed about candidates and people who might be, in terms of my ideology, the best people to elect. So going back to I think Jalil you mentioned this, and it's this overarching theme is like the idea of making voting cool, making voting

relatable to people. I just like would love to hear from each of you how you keep yourselves informed, because maybe it's not as big of an obstacle as some people might think. David, why don't we start with you and then we'll swing it around. Yeah. I think one thing that you know, Rachel had on, even though it is focused on the election process as opposed to candidates, is make sure you're getting your information from an accurate

and valid source. I think one thing that's great about social media that I think we're all trying to take advantage of it is it's a great way to get information out to people. UM. The challenges and sometimes is a consumer of information. I know I've had this challenge. It's tough to know what is real and what is not, and what is accurate and what is not. So UM, you know, I try to, UM, I do try to,

you know, stay up on the news. I try to listen to candidates directly UM as opposed to you know, sort of hearing information filtered through through through other places. And then also I UM, you know, for me, there are certain issues that I know are very important to me, and I know organizations that care about those issues, and I go to those organizations to inform me about, um,

you know, which candidates are are supporting those those issues. Um, It's it's tough to to sort through all the information, it's tru it's tough to figure out what's what's fact and what's fiction. So if you're going to organizations that you don't care about the things that you care about, I think that's the best way to get a good understanding of it. Yeah, I agree with that. Um, the

most important thing is actually following an accurate source. So just um, you know, speaking for myself, me being on a board of the Urban League, I'm always um, hit Tom, what's going on on a political side on both ends. So just the most important thing to me is having

an accurate source and reading of one. Yeah. I think I just will chime in and say, you know, I think that that's like I agree with everything that's been said about you know, choosing your trusted sources of information and being say consumer, we all have to be at this point of news information. Yeah, I think that that pretty much underscores it is you you have to know what's real and what's not, which is is hard to do, so follow those sources. Basically, I think the best thing

to do. We've seen figures, especially compared to the previous presidential election year, on what turnout percentages were. What in your mind would constitute a successful turnout for this year's election, not just speaking about the presidential election, but how would you guys define successful turn out? What would that look like? Gosh, that's a tough question. I mean, I think we want every voter who wants to cast a ballot to cast a ballot, so you know, something like one hundred percent

would be completely incredible. I think really for the Department of State, what we with the for the Pennsylvania Department of State, what we want to encourage is that everyone find the way that they're comfortable casting a ballot this way and this year, make a plan and follow through on it. So, if you have concerns about going to your polling place on election day due to COVID nineteen, perhaps you're in a high risk category for COVID nineteen and you want to vote by mail in ballot, you

should do so. You should make a plan to do so, and do so as soon as possible. Apply today, vote your ballot as soon as you get it, and return it as soon as you're finished voting. Your ballot. You know, if you prefer to vote in person on election day, excellent.

All polling places will be an on election day, or rather every county will have polling places open on election day, and you know, be prepared, bring your mask with you, be prepared possibly to wait in a little bit longer line than normal, and follow instructions from poll workers because of voting experience maybe a little different this year. So just kind of think ahead, make your plan, and follow through on that plan is is we want every voter to make sure that they know what they want to

do and that they're able to follow that plan. Yeah, I would agree. That's it's hard to put a number on it. I think it'd be great if every election there were more than the last election. I think, you know, just an upward trend would be heartening. But I think that, you know, the idea that everyone who wants to cast a ballot and everyone who casts a ballot is counted is of incredible importance. So, you know, Rachel was talking

about all the different ways you can vote. There's been stuff in the news about these naked ballots and making sure that when you do sending your mail in ballot that you do it the right way. Um. So again, I think it's just a matter of going to the right source, learning how to vote, registering to vote, making sure you follow the steps that are are necessary, you know, with your voting plan, to make sure that you're counted.

So I mean the number would be a hopefully a hundred percent of the people who who vote and want to be counted are counted. Um. I think I think it would be the best number. I don't know that we can actually know that, but that would be ideal. No ballots thrown out for uh, you know, silly reasons. Yeah, I agree with I agree with that. Um, just saying a spike from from last time. UM, you know, with

COVID is going to get really tricky. So um, the most important thing right now probably probably would be the mail in ballot. So just uh is this It's going to be a tough one. So, UM, just saying a spike and uh from last time, would you know I would be satisfied. Yeah, I I agree with everything that said. I think I would just emphasize what Eric said, Um

stole my answer. Eric, I was, I think that the extent to which we can minimize the amount of bout the amount of people that cast a ballot and their vote is not counted because of all the different ways there are to vote this year and all the rules around that. UM is really important. I think the thing that I think is most important that's like new and different this year, really important to focus on is this

idea of secrecy about secrecy envelopes. So if you're in Pennsylvania and you get your mail and ballot and the mail, make sure that once you feel your ballot out, you put it in the official envelope before you put it in the envelope to send to send it back. So there are two envelopes and you have to sign the

back of one of those. UM. Rachel correct me if I'm getting any of this information wrong, but I think it's it's just so important that everybody follows the steps to make sure your ballot is is actually counting tremendous and in the reef remaining time that we have left, we can go around the horn and if there's anything else that you guys would like to message out there about how people can either get engaged in the process of getting out the vote and the time that remains

before the early registration deadline, at least in Pennsylvania on October nineteenth, or simply leading up to November. The third one, don't we hear from you guys. If there's more ways that people can get involved and help do that, Eric,

we can start with you. Yeah. Sure, you know, we have created a website for the Our Time Our Vote initiative between ADL Philadelphia and Urban League Philadelphia, which has a lot of good information with deadlines and the social media tool kit that I'd mentioned and links to things like the census as well, which you can still fill out. So that website is Our Time, Our Vote PHL dot com.

So check that out. It's got a lot of good information. Joel. Yeah. So, like I said, we had the DTL are open to go to register to vote, and right now you can go there or you can reach out to me on Instagram Jelo Beats on Instagram. Rachel. Yeah, I'll I'll just up in to say you're absolutely correct. Right. There's there's two envelopes that you must use for your bout to

be counted. That inner secrecy envelope that you don't write anything on your ballot goes in there, and then you steal that you put that in the outer return envelope, seal that, and then complete and sign and date that outer return envelope. And then you want to return it by mail or in person yourself, so you can't hand your bout to someone else to turn in for you to the wrong set. You know, you want to follow each of these steps to make sure that your mail

ballot is counted and received timely. Did why don't you bring us home? Sure? Yeah, so anybody in the region, whether you're in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware. Um, if you're not sure how to get registered vote, whether you're registered, how you can vote this year? If you go to sixers dot com slash vote, we have a voter or hobbit links to the websites of our partners and also the official websites for websites for how to vote in

each of those states. So we just want to make it as easy as possible for people get information about how to vote this year. Well, guys, even after doing zooms for about six and a half or seven months, I feel like we accomplished something. You know, this was a relatively efficiently flowing conversation, but more importantly a significant one at that. So thank you all for participating, getting the word out and helping spread the message to get

out of the vote. Thank you, Thanks big thanks to Jolly Old Beats, Rachel Boss, Eric Devan, and David Gold for all sharing their insights and information about how you can participate in one of the most important functions of our American democracy, and that is voting. And remember, the election isn't just happening on November the third, It's happening right now because of all the crazy, unprecedented circumstances surrounding COVID nineteen to the pandemic, every day is election day.

November third happens to be kind of like the last day. So use this time for the next three weeks to become more informed about how to go about and vote in your respective area or state or territory. You've got the time, make a plan and go out and do it. Our vote seventy six week coverage raps on the seventy six ers podcast network feed on October thirteenth with doc rivers,

Matisse Thybel and Kyle O'Quinn. And remember to listen to that chat between t Mac and Joey Crawford that is already out Thanks to Lee Carrie probably putting this episode together. I'm Brian Seltzer. Talk to you next time.