ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell University Department of Athletics and Physical Education has announced that it will cancel all mandatory athletics activities on Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 3 – in an effort to encourage student-athletes, coaches and staff members to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

In addition, Cornell will assist student-athletes with registration and requesting absentee ballots. Last year, the Big Red's 1,100 student-athletes represented 45 states and the District of Columbia.

"There is no more important responsibility as a citizen of this country than to be an informed voter," said Andy Noel, the Meakem*Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education. "Encouraging our student-athletes to research and cast their ballots for candidates who reflect their views and values is an important way to support our Cornell athletics family."

Cornell will join an increasing number of institutions that have already made the pledge to allow its student-athletes to be fully engaged in the democratic process on Election Day.

Of the Big Red's 37 varsity teams, 31 will be in season when Election Day rolls around: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, equestrian, fencing, field hockey, football, men's and women's ice hockey, men's and women's polo, men's heavyweight and lightweight rowing, women's rowing, sailing, men's and women's soccer, sprint football, men's and women's squash, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball and wrestling.