HENDERSON, Nev. – Timed with the kickoff of the 2025 NFL season, a new paper by Tova Wang, Director of Research Projects in Democratic Practice at the Ash Center, and Michael Hanmer, Professor of Government at the University of Maryland, reveals how Allegiant Stadium – home of the Las Vegas Raiders – became Nevada's most popular polling site during the 2024 general election.
The report, Voting with the Las Vegas Raiders: The Impact of Allegiant Stadium as a Polling Location in 2024, highlights the success of the initiative in boosting voter turnout and engaging first-time and young voters. The research also concluded that voting at Allegiant Stadium created a joyful and patriotic experience for Las Vegas voters and for those working at the stadium's polling location.
Key findings from the paper include:
- High turnout and accessibility:More than 4,200 Nevadans voted at Allegiant Stadium on Election Day, making it by far the most popular polling site in the state.
- Engagement of new voters:35% of Allegiant Stadium voters were casting a ballot for the first time, compared to just 20% elsewhere in Clark County.
- Younger participation:Voters at Allegiant were, on average, ten years younger than those at other locations.
- Broad appeal:Partisan breakdown mirrored the county overall, demonstrating that stadium voting did not advantage any single political party.
- Positive experience:Short wait times, convenient access, and a festive atmosphere—including music, Raiderettes, selfies, and team mascots—made for a joyful and memorable voting experience.
"The Raiders demonstrated how professional sports teams can use their platform to strengthen democracy," said Wang. "Allegiant Stadium provided not just a voting site, but a celebration of civic participation that brought in younger and first-time voters who might not otherwise have cast a ballot."
Francisco "Cisco" Aguilar, Nevada's Secretary of State, emphasizes how much the stadium involvement matters. "Allegiant Stadium is home to some of the biggest moments in football and entertainment in the country, and I'm proud we were able to open its doors and make voting a fun, accessible event for fans and our community," said Secretary Aguilar. "I'm grateful to the partnership between the Raiders and Clark County to execute a successful Election Day and encourage Nevadans to make their voices heard."
The paper emphasizes that stadium voting offers a unique opportunity for professional sports franchises to deepen ties with their communities, give back to fans, and support civic engagement in a strictly nonpartisan way.
Scott Pioli, a former Super Bowl winner and award-winning NFL executive, has been promoting the idea of stadium voting for almost a decade. "Sports can bring us together," adds Pioli. "And in many ways, it can bring out the best in people. It can put people in circumstances and situations when they're watching teams to think about the collective—the greater good and a greater goodness."
"Creating an opportunity to vote at Allegiant Stadium was about more than football—it was about giving Clark County voters a place to come together, make their voices heard, and celebrate the democratic process," said Sandra Douglass Morgan, President of the Las Vegas Raiders. "The Raiders are committed to strengthening our community, empowering voices, and making civic participation something people are proud and excited to be part of."
The full paper is available for free download **here**.
The full data report is also available separately by clicking **here**.
