Nationals Park to serve as election site

WASHINGTON -- Nationals Park will be transformed from a baseball stadium to an election site for Election Day on Nov. 3.

“Nationals Park is a civic asset and the Nationals will always work to ensure that it can be utilized in service to the community in as many ways as possible,” Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner said in a statement Monday evening.

The ballpark has been utilized as a multipurpose venue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the 2020 baseball season began in July, the organization kept its doors open to serve those from the community.

“Since this past spring, we have hosted World Central Kitchen to help feed members of the DMV community who were in need,” Lerner said. “This fall, we can help make sure one of our most important civic responsibilities can be completed as seamlessly and safely as possible.

“We are thrilled to help alleviate some of the challenges associated with voting during a pandemic and support the Board of Elections by opening Nationals Park as an election site.”

Nationals Park is located in the Navy Yard area of Washington. It is accessible by multiple forms of public transportation.

“I think it’s awesome,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez said on Tuesday. “Obviously Nationals Park is part of the community, so why not? I think it’s great for our fans; it’s great for everybody. Honestly, I’m going to vote -- I’ll probably come here and vote. Come out and vote. …

“Fans haven’t been here all year, so they get a chance to come to the ballpark, so that’s good.”