NFL Launches Voter Initiative for 2026 Midterm Elections

The league is promoting voter participation through new campaign videos and stadium-based ballot resources.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Football

NFL Launches Voter Initiative for 2026 Midterm Elections

Live Poll

Should professional sports leagues actively campaign to encourage voter registration and participation?

The NFL has released a promotional video titled NFL Votes: Make Your Election Day Game Plan to encourage voter participation in the 2026 midterm elections. Individual teams are also using their platforms to share local voting resources and ballot drop-off information.

Why it matters

This campaign serves to facilitate voter education, registration, and activation by leveraging the reach of professional football. By utilizing stadiums and league-wide platforms, the initiative aims to increase civic engagement among the public.

The NFL Votes initiative has reached 160 million people to date, with nearly 300,000 Americans having cast ballots in sports arenas during previous presidential elections.

The players

NFL

The professional football league manages the NFL Votes initiative in collaboration with the players association to promote civic engagement.

NFL Players Association

This labor union represents the interests of professional football players and partners with the league on various social and civic initiatives.

Chicago Bears

This professional football team is actively participating in the 2026 campaign by sharing localized voting resources on social media.

The details

Teams are conducting mandatory voter education sessions for players, staff, and employees while converting stadiums into election support sites. The league maintains long-standing partnerships with organizations including I am a voter, RISE, ROCK the Vote, and Vet the Vote.

August 6, 2020: The NFL Votes league-wide nonpartisan project was founded.
August 2024: The league released the Show Up Big & Register promotional video.
October 22, 2026: The Chicago Bears posted voting resources on Instagram.
October 28, 2026: Date of article publication.

Season Trajectory

This effort follows the organizational pattern set by the NFL Votes nonpartisan project to integrate civic outreach into the professional sports calendar. These initiatives extend the league's established model of utilizing sports infrastructure to influence public engagement during election cycles.

Local residents should check their team's social media and official websites for specific information regarding stadium-based ballot drop-off locations and registration deadlines. Participation in these sessions and site visits directly assists fans in navigating local election requirements for the midterms.

The takeaway

Professional sports teams are increasingly acting as community hubs for election resources and ballot access. Fans can improve their own civic preparedness by utilizing the registration and drop-off information regularly shared by their local clubs.