Actors & Athletes for Democracy: Bringing Labor Unions to the Forefront in the Push for Democracy

Over the last few decades, there have been enormous strides made in removing barriers that prevent residents of low-income communities and people of color from casting their votes and having their voices heard. But recently, a disturbing trend has emerged, reversing some of those hard-fought victories for voter rights across America. 

To address these concerns, SAG-AFTRA has joined forces with the National Football League Players Association to form Actors & Athletes for Democracy, a partnership that focuses on protecting voting rights nationwide and encouraging voter registration. 

Prior to the midterm elections, the SAG-AFTRA President’s Task Force on Education, Outreach & Engagement hosted Your Voice. Your Vote. Actors & Athletes: Unions for Democracy on Oct. 25. Panelists included SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Rock the Vote President and Executive Director Carolyn DeWitt, and Brennan Center Director of Voting Sean Morales-Doyle. SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Ben Whitehair served as moderator. 

The panel discussed a wide array of topics, including the harmful and restrictive registration and voting practices seen in the 2022 election cycle, and ways unions and public figures can help inform the public about state and federal issues.

Check out other panel discussions about voting at sagaftra.org/videos.

The views expressed by the guests are their own and not that of SAG-AFTRA. Any mention of products or services does not imply SAG-AFTRA’s endorsement.