Jay-Z For "Vote Again 2010"
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Jay-Z (photo courtesy of MTV)
“In a year when there is such negativity in this country, Jay-Z’s positive message is jolting and inspirational. When he told the crowd at Bonnaroo ‘We changed the world,’ it was a truly electric moment. Thousands of people got goosebumps, and I knew it would make an unforgettable PSA,” said Andy Bernstein, HeadCount’s executive director.
Headcount is a nonpartisan organization that works with musicians to promote participation in democracy.
“It’s not just voting. We want people to be informed. We want people to get behind what they believe in and have their opinions involved and have conversations,” said Bernstein.
As part of their outreach process, HeadCount sends out volunteer teams to concerts to round up voters to register for the upcoming elections. This year, HeadCount is working with over 50 different artists including Jack Johnson, John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, MGMT, The National, Passion Pit, Furthur and Tom Petty. The organization registered over 100,00 voters in the 2008 presidential election and has registered over 10,000 voters so far this year.
“We really are trying to take this from an empty message of saying 'Vote, vote, vote!' to something that really engages people and makes them more inspired to learn and feel more a part of the process,” said Bernstein.
Vote Again 2010 was created to do just that. It is an association managed by over 30 youth organizations and media partners to encourage youth to vote in this year’s elections. Their website features a blog and a user-generated video contest in which the winner receives $5,000.
For more information on Vote Again 2010, click here.
Reach reporter Camille Massey here.
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