Rock the Vote is hoping to register 200,000 young people across the nation to vote before November's mid-term elections, leaders of the nonpartisan organization told reporters today in a conference call. The organization, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is hoping to abate the low turnout that generally accompanies mid-term elections.
The effort is focused on young people who have turned 18 since 2008 and those who have moved since then. Apparently, that's a lot of people -- 13,000 Americans turn 18 every day and one-third of young voters who voted in 2008 have since moved, according to Heather Smith, Rock the Vote's president.
Another part of the strategy is focused on getting the 2 million young voters whom Rock the Vote registered back in '08 to turn out in this year's election. There will of course be outreach through text messages and Facebook.
As always, Rock the Vote is using pop culture icons to spread its message. Those highlighted in today's call included Green Day (Bay Area born and raised), N*E*R*D*, and the WWE.
Common sense tip of the day: If you happen to be encouraged by a WWE wrestler/performer/thespian to register to vote, it's probably a good idea to just do it.
