PRESS RELEASE
The Orioles announced Thursday that the Baltimore City Board of Elections and the Maryland Stadium Authority have reached an agreement in order to provide Baltimore City residents access to a safe and secure designated voting center at Oriole Park at Camden Yards during the upcoming Presidential General Election. In support of the club’s Voter Up campaign, the ballpark will be open to registered voters from Baltimore City as an early voting center from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. ET between Monday, October 26 and Monday, November 2 (including Saturday and Sunday), as well as on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, from 7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
“The right of every American to vote in our elections is a fundamental promise of our democracy. In support of Commissioner Manfred’s voter engagement efforts, and as stewards of an iconic community asset and national treasure in Oriole Park at Camden Yards, it is a privilege to collaborate with the Baltimore City Board of Elections and the Maryland Stadium Authority to offer Camden Yards as a polling location and shared gathering place this year on Election Day, just as it has been on many game days over nearly three decades,” said JOHN ANGELOS, Orioles President and CEO. “We look forward to continuing this tradition now and long into the future as we strengthen our nation, principles, and the shared American ideals that bind all of us together.”
Dempsey’s Brew Pub and Restaurant will serve as the polling location for the voting center. Free parking for voters will be available each day in the East Warehouse Lot, as well as in Lot A. At the direction of the Baltimore City Board of Elections, voters must remain six feet apart and wear a mask to make in-person voting safe. To maintain proper distancing, the number of voters permitted inside a voting center at one time may be limited. This may result in lines and wait times. The Maryland State Board of Elections advises the best time to vote in person is on weekends during early voting and between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on Election Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, voters are encouraged to cast their ballots by mail when possible.
Additionally, there are two active ballot drop box locations on the east side of the B&O Warehouse, located outside of the 333 West Camden Street lobby and by the Breezeway area just outside of Gate A under the south end of the Warehouse. Voters may drop off their completed ballot at either of these drop box locations through Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Completed ballots must be dropped off by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
“The Baltimore City Board of Elections is extremely grateful for the support of the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Orioles in making Dempsey’s Brew Pub and Restaurant at Camden Yards available as a voting center for this year’s election,” said ARMSTEAD JONES, Election Director, Baltimore City Board of Elections. “It seems appropriate that this central feature of downtown – and one of its most attractive public spaces – will be among the locations where residents can cast their ballots. We are excited about this collaboration and look forward to serving voters at Oriole Park.”
The Orioles and the Maryland Stadium Authority will also light up the iconic B&O Warehouse at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in red, white, and blue for Election Day as Baltimore City residents come to cast their votes and participate in the election process. The following week on Wednesday, November 11, the Warehouse will once again be illuminated in the colors of the American flag in honor of Veterans Day.
“We are pleased that the Camden Yards Sports Complex, a place to work and play, will serve as a polling place so that Marylanders can safely exercise their franchise. As always, we are here to serve,” said THOMAS KELSO, Chairman, Maryland Stadium Authority.
Establishing a voting center at Oriole Park is one element of the club’s ongoing Voter Up campaign, which launched in August in conjunction with the Empowerment Series as part of the Orioles’ celebration of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. The campaign aims to educate and encourage fans to register to vote and participate in the upcoming election on November 3. As the Orioles continue to celebrate the 19th Amendment and recognize the history of voting in the United States, the club will share voter registration information, key deadlines, and additional resources with fans leading up to Election Day. The Orioles have also declared Election Day as a paid day off for all full-time staff. On November 3, employees are encouraged to vote and to volunteer to serve as poll workers or in a variety of other volunteer roles to help ensure safe, fair voting access throughout Birdland.
Additionally, earlier this week the Orioles Orange and Black Gives Back volunteer program, along with Orioles Women’s Empowerment Committee representative and Director of Field Operations NICOLE SHERRY, hosted a virtual event with Girls Inc. of Washington County to discuss the importance of voting. For more information on the Voter Up campaign, visit Orioles.com/VoterUp.
While Oriole Park has been closed to the general public for most of 2020, the Camden Yards Sports Complex has hosted many community-based initiatives as the Orioles work tirelessly to support the club’s most vulnerable neighbors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility has served as the central packing hub for The Salvation Army’s meal distribution efforts, as the center of chef JOSÉ ANDRÉS’ World Central Kitchen’s food distribution program, and as the host site for a blood drive in partnership with The American Red Cross, Greater Chesapeake Region.
“During times of crisis, our Orioles family is committed to bringing visibility to resources our community members need most,” said JENNIFER GRONDAHL, Orioles Senior Vice President, Community Development and Communications. “This pandemic has changed the way voting is conducted in 2020, which is why it is critical that we provide fans with educational resources about the election process and encourage everyone to improve our communities by exercising their right to vote safely in the upcoming election.”
