When Culture Gets Political

At Rock the Vote, our view is that culture is how you really move people, especially young people. When culture gets political, it makes for a powerful combination. Check out this story on the topic from the Arizona Republic:

This pop culture/political convergence is a byproduct of a kooky 2000 election that grabbed America's attention: Votes really do count. And the nation's trendsetters, hoping to turn around the dismal 36 percent turnout of 18- to 24-year-old voters that year, are working up a mainly nonpartisan voting frenzy, inspiring youths tthe polls in part by appealing to that junior-high instinct in so many Americans: The popular people are doing it, and so should you.

In an election where issues directly affect young voters, from the rising cost of college to the war in Iraq being fought mainly by their peers, the plan seems to be working. Buoyed by hype and a tool that helps people register to vote using the Internet, the Rock the Vote program and its affiliates have registered more than 900,000 voters over the past year, compared with 3 million total voters registered since its 1990 inception. Over the past weeks, as registration deadlines loom, Rock the Vote and its partner sites are reporting 20,000 downloads of voting forms each day.

Popular culture is one method to enhance voter participation, but it is simply not the only one. It doesn't matter why we decide to vote. We each have our own reasons. The important thing is to realize that the vote you will cast come November does mean something. And, of course, it doesn't hurt to have a group of over 900,000 of your closest friends joining you.