In a scene that looked more like a Wild West movie than your typical Election Day event, WNBA star Brittney Griner traded in her basketball sneakers for cowboy boots to join a crowd of 20 charros on horseback in a vibrant and slightly unexpected twist on early voting in Phoenix. Yep, you heard that right: voting on horseback. Move over, drive-thru voting; we’ve got democracy on a saddle now.
Accompanied by the unmistakable sounds of banda music—because why not throw a party while voting?—the group made its way from Rancho Corona to the Tolleson Civic Center, ballots in hand (or saddlebag, presumably). Joining the pack of horse-mounted voters were actress Mishel Prada and actor Jose Velazquez, proving that even in the world of Hollywood, voting is still a community affair. Think of it as a red carpet with a lot more dust and a lot less paparazzi.
This event, known as “Cabalgata hacia las Urnas” (which sounds way cooler than “riding to the polls”), was organized by Poder Latinx, a non-profit committed to mobilizing the Latino community to make their voices heard in the election. Now in its second year, this horseback-voting extravaganza saw a noticeable bump in participation, and, according to Nancy Herrera, state director of Poder Latinx, “the enthusiasm was off the charts.” Apparently, throwing in some horses really does the trick.
Griner’s Slam Dunk for Democracy
Brittney Griner, fresh off a season with the Phoenix Mercury, described this election as a “pivotal moment for Arizona,” making it clear that her competitive spirit isn’t just reserved for basketball. After recently welcoming her first child with her wife, Griner emphasized that voting is personal now—especially when it comes to ensuring a better future for the next generation. She didn’t hold back on calling for improvements to Arizona’s childcare system either, stating, “It takes a village to raise a family… and some serious funds, too.”
Griner, never one to shy away from a challenge (on or off the court), encouraged everyone to take this opportunity to put the right people in office. “But hey, it only works if you actually vote,” she quipped, adding a casual reminder that democracy doesn’t run on good intentions alone.
Hollywood Meets Horsepower
Velazquez, meanwhile, admitted that voting wasn’t always a top priority for him growing up. In fact, it wasn’t until he got older that he understood just how much power was in that little ballot envelope. “Once we vote, we teach the generation after us to vote,” he said, channeling some serious “wisdom of the ages” vibes.
And then there’s Prada, who came through with a PSA that every procrastinator out there can relate to: vote early because, let’s face it, some of us are just too busy (or forgetful) to deal with the hassle on Election Day. Oh, and ladies, let’s not forget the hard-fought battle it took to secure the right to vote in the first place, she reminded everyone. If that doesn’t get you to the polls, what will?
From the Ball Court to the Ballot Box
The Cabalgata wasn’t just a star-studded affair for athletes and actors. Everyday citizens like Rafael Guevara also joined in, ballot in hand and ready to participate in what he called “a crucial election.” Guevara, hailing from Glendale, summed it up best when he said, “We are a great force as Hispanics, and it’s going to be very noticeable this election.” His main concerns? The economy, immigration, and security—topics that resonate loudly in this tightly contested race.
One thing’s for sure: if early voting in Arizona wasn’t already interesting, it certainly is now. With Griner leading the charge (literally) and a community riding alongside her, this was one electoral push that combined tradition, flair, and a healthy dose of fun. Who knows, maybe next year we’ll see a slam dunk contest at the polling station.
Either way, one thing’s clear: democracy just got a whole lot more exciting in Phoenix. Let’s just hope none of those ballots got lost in the saddle.
