KANSAS CITY, Mo. — People lined up early outside Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, Tuesday morning. This time, they weren’t there to watch the Chiefs play football, instead they were there to vote. At 6 a.m., the stadium officially opened its doors as a polling place.
The organization partnered with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ foundation, 15 and the Mahomies, and the Kansas City Election Board to transform the stadium into a polling place.
Only voters registered in Kansas City, Missouri, within Jackson County can vote at the stadium. Voting takes place in the CommunityAmerica Club Level. Voters should use the Founder’s Club entrance near Lot M between Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadium, next to the Lamar Hunt statue.
Election administrators said there will be approximately 40 voting machines inside. The Chiefs and the 15 and The Mahomies Foundation split the cost to buy about half of those machines and cover labor for poll workers.
“Voting is one of those things we want top of mind,” Marques Fitch, the executive director of 15 and the Mahomies Foundation said. “We want everyone to be aware, know their rights and get involved. We talk about community involvement and there is no better way to get involved in your community than voting.”
Even after Sunday’s victory over the New York Jets, Mahomes made a plea to registered voters.
“Finish the job,” the quarterback said Sunday. “Go out there and vote, use your voice. No matter where you live, no matter who you're voting for, use your voice and do whatever you think is best for you, this country and your family."
Employees of the Chiefs organization have Tuesday off work in order to go vote.
Election administrators have referred to this election as their Super Bowl, so it’s fitting people can vote at the home of the reigning Super Bowl champions.
“We don’t have any idea how many people we’ll have,” said Kansas City Election Board Republican Director Shawn Kieffer. “We’re guessing it could be anywhere between 2,500 to 5,000. We’ve talked to people who talked about bringing buses.”
In fact, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is offering free rides on its buses. Shuttles will leave the East Village Transit Center at East 12th and Charlotte streets in downtown Kansas City and head toward Arrowhead Stadium every 30 minutes from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Duane E. Harvey Funeral Home will continue its tradition of transporting voters to the polls in limousines. The limo rides are reserved for elderly voters. To schedule a ride, call 816-763-9100.
Electric scooter companies Bird and Spin are offering promo codes on Election Day. Use the code “VOTE2020” to earn 30 minutes of ride time with Bird.
The Spin-brand scooters offer the same promotion using this code: “SPINTOVOTE”
With so much emphasis on getting people to vote, directors say they’re placing just as much emphasis on the integrity of the election.
“It’s imperative for us we get it right and there are no mistakes. We have checks and balances, we have tablets, we have route sheets, we have everything. It’s important to us,” said Kansas City Election Board Democratic Director Lauri Ealom.
Polls across Missouri close at 7 p.m. If you’re in line at 7, you will still be able to cast your ballot after 7 p.m.
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41 Action News is committed to providing comprehensive information on the 2020 primary and general elections with an emphasis on several key issues — the economy, the COVID-19 pandemic and race relations. Count on us to provide news and information to help you make an informed choice at the polls.