It's a bit late in the game for this, but Rock the Vote is sponsoring a contest aimed at registering people to vote. They've got some good prizes, and it's certainly a worthy cause, so check it out. The contest ends on October 31, so don't dawdle.
Also new on the radar screen is American Choices by E The People, which aims to help people understand foreign policy debates. The design is cool, and they appear to have some useful stuff, so click over and take a look.
Posted by Charles Kuffner on October 28, 2003 to Websurfing | TrackBackI certainly promote all folks that have political concerns to vote. It grants your right to complain.
I do worry, however, (and sometimes laugh) thinking about the target audience for the Rock The Vote promoters:
For better or for worse, they're targeting folks that:
1. More concerned with what's on MTV than balancing a checkbook.
2. Probably have never read a newspaper front page section cover to cover.
3. Couldn't tell you who the Vice President, Secretary of State, First Lady or White House Press Secretary is for any of the last 5 Presidents.
4. Never miss an episode of WWE professional wrestling.
It's kind of like throwing darts with a blindfold. These folks will vote, but it will most likely be an uneducated vote. They will be told how to vote, and these people are most likely too naive. They will do as they're told instead of researching the issues and forming their own opinions.
And what do you think will happen the day after they vote? That will be the last time they see can tell you exactly where their voter's registration card is. Most likely, it will be the first and last election they vote it.
I wonder what percentage of folks that would be? I also wonder if they have a name for that percentage, such as the Dart Factor? Any thoughts?
Posted by: Mike on October 29, 2003 10:40 AMI don't know that anyone registered through Rock the Vote is any less knowledgeable or informed than the average voter. Their mission includes getting people interested in the process, not just getting their names on the appropriate forms. And there's a lot of people who only vote the way their spouse or preacher tells them to. I don't see how this is any less valid.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on October 29, 2003 7:47 PM