Get out the vote: Alamo Drafthouse closing doors during Election Day to boost voter turnout

Alamo Drafthouse will close its door during Election Day to encourage voting.

Alamo Drafthouse has two Houston locations: La Centerra and Sugar Land.

>>> Clock through to see the most unusual polling places in Houston. less Alamo Drafthouse has two Houston locations: La Centerra and Sugar Land. Alamo Drafthouse will close its door during Election Day to encourage voting.

Alamo Drafthouse has two Houston locations: La Centerra and Sugar Land.

>>> Clock through to see the most unusual ... more Alamo Drafthouse has two Houston locations: La Centerra and Sugar Land. Photo: Bill Olive, For The Chronicle Photo: Bill Olive, For The Chronicle Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close Get out the vote: Alamo Drafthouse closing doors during Election Day to boost voter turnout 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

On November 6, Texas-based theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will close its doors for part of the day in an effort to encourage customers and staff members to get out and vote, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Known for offering movie-goers perks from booze to multi-course dinners, the nationwide company has 36 locations across the U.S., including two Houston outposts: La Centerra and Sugar Land.

All will remain closed until mid-afternoon on Election Day with the hopes that its would-be patrons and workers will hit the polls instead of catching a flick.

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"My mom instilled in me at a young age the importance of voting in every election, and I try to pay that forward with the staff at Alamo," says Alamo Drafthouse founder and chief executive officer Tim League.

"So, we're closing our locations for the first round of shows and offering to pick up the tab on any staff member's rideshare to a polling place."

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What's more, Alamo Drafthouse has hosted a national voter awareness PSA contest, partnered with civic leaders on non-partisan voter registration campaigns, distributed "I'm So Gonna Vote" stickers at the box office, and encouraged employees to become registrars in order to operate voter sign-up tables in the theaters' lobbies.

Alamo Drafthouse was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1997. The Lone Star State is in the middle of an intense Senate race between incumbent Ted Cruz and challenger Beto O'Rourke, with a record turnout in early voting.

Marcy de Luna is a digital reporter specializing in social media, the famous, and food. You can follow her on Twitter @MarcydeLuna. Read her stories on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com. | Marcy.deLuna@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message