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MLS and its players start voting initiative

FILE - In this Feb. 26, 2020, file photo, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber speaks during the Major League Soccer 25th Season kickoff event in New York. Major League Soccer said Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, it will resume its season once the MLS is Back tournament in Florida wraps up. The league's 26 teams will each play 18 games, with the first between FC Dallas and Nashville set for Aug. 12.(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Major League Soccer, in partnership with two player groups, started an initiative aimed to help players, staff and fans alike to vote in the upcoming general election.

MLS, the MLS Players Association and the Black Players for Change together launched MLS Unites to Vote, a program that will use multiple platforms to educate people on the voting process, urge voter registration and encourage people to volunteer on Election Day.

The league’s front office and U.S.-based team facilities will be closed Nov. 3 to ensure those across MLS can vote or volunteer.

“Major League Soccer and our players recognize the opportunity we have to leverage our platform to amplify the importance of voting,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said in a statement. “We hope to inspire MLS fans and the entire soccer community to educate themselves about the voting process, register to vote, and vote on Election Day.”

Backers of the initiative have created a website that offers a centralized location where people can learn all there is to know about the voting process, including an area where they can register to vote. MLS will also use its varied social media presence to promote the initiative.

The league highlighted several teams that are contributing to the initiative with local efforts, including Real Salt Lake, LAFC, Atlanta United, the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders.