Shaq Votes for the First Time and Encourages Others to Do the Same
Election Day 2020 is almost here. And if you’re not sure exactly when the general election is, it’s on November 3rd. And many people throughout the country are already voting with mail-in ballots.
One of those citizens is retired basketball legend turned NBA on TNT analyst Shaquille O’Neal. And on a recent episode of his podcast, The Big Podcast With Shaq, he talked about how 2020 is the year he voted for the first time, mailing in an absentee ballot.
“I voted for the first time, and it feels good,” O’Neal said on the podcast, per People.
“You know I always like being honest on my podcast. I’ve never voted before, America,” O’Neal said. “But, now I’m doing all these campaigns, and you know one thing I never like to do is be a hypocrite.”
And Shaq’s actually not alone. Shockingly, only “about 60% of the voting-eligible population votes during presidential election years,” according to reports.
And with just 21 days left until Election Day, and many state deadlines to register are creeping up, the time is now. “It has never been more important,” Shaq said on Twitter.
So, if you’re 18 or older, check your voter status. If you’re not yet registered, register. And if you are, get a plan put in place, so that on November 3, you know exactly what to do when it comes time to mark your ballot. You can find all of this information here.
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So if you want to be like Shaq, and exercise your constitutional right, it’s important to do your research and vote your conscience. Choose a candidate who stands for what you stand for because that’s what makes this country great, we have the freedom to do just that.
Charlie Lapastora is a sports/news multimedia journalist who’s reported, written, produced, anchored, shot video/edited on different NBC, ABC, and FOX shows in multiple TV markets, along with digital & new media companies. Charlie has traveled the country telling national sports, news, feature, and original stories on a cable news network, airing on top 10 TV markets, satellite radio, and digital platforms. He is passionate about his faith, family—being a husband to whom he calls the G.O.A.T. of women—about reppin’ his home state of Michigan and Detroit teams (yes, including the Lions), good coffee, and loves how sports brings people together. He’s traveled the world leading and coaching sports camps and has also worked at the Detroit Pistons and LA Clippers’ NBA teams.
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