Austin Marley Fest Helps Hundreds of Voters Rise Up, Sign Up

VoterVirgin and Rock the Vote Austin team up with great success to register voters at the 11th Annual Marley Fest in Texas

(PRWEB) April 22, 2004 -- Over this past sunny spring weekend in Austin, TX VoterVirgin and the Rock the Vote Austin Street Team worked together to register voters at the 11th Annual Austin Marley Festival . Enthusiastic volunteers charmed the crowd and assisted people with questions to make the process of registering to vote as simple as possible. The result was overwhelmingly positive. " People seemed grateful to have such a convenient opportunity to get the application complete and turned in. Just a tiny bit of encouragement and a smile seemed to make a lot of difference." says Teresa Van Deusen of VoterVirgin. " What was really cool was when someone would come back with a friend or two and got them to register as well."

"The voter registration table added a lot to the positive vibe of this year's event. Bob Marley was a huge advocate of non-violent change. In our society, registering new voters is certainly one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal." says Hugh Forrest, co-promoter of the Annual Austin Marley Fest. Outreach was friendly with cheerful volunteers asking the crowd, " Can I help you register to vote today?" More than 1000 voters who will be participating in their first national election this November were dubbed "VoterVirgins" and adorned with stickers that could be seen throughout the crowd. Dozens more signed up as Rock the Vote volunteers to help out with future registration efforts. Volunteer Registration Deputies were swamped writing out receipts and answering questions about the form. Winners for the t-shirt give away were announced from the stage and artists encouraged the audience to get out and have their voice heard in the next election. Collectively, VoterVirgin and Rock the Vote registered 420 voters at the 11th Annual Austin Marley Fest.

Sean Haynes, the new Community Street Team leader was pleased with the turn out. Our work at the Austin Bob Marley Festival is the Austin Street Teams first major voter registration drive this year. We are energized by the number of people who signed up to join Rock the Vote. This momentum will allow us to expand our efforts over the coming months." The 2004 election marks the first time that the 18-24 year old voter could outnumber the baby boomers at the polls. Rock the Vote is well established as a dynamic get out the vote organization. This election cycle has seen the birth of new efforts such as VoterVirgin adding to the momentum behind voter enrollment . Political analysts are closely observing youth participation trying to gauge what effect it might have on the campaigns. Youth vote turnout is expected to be at a record high in the national election to be held on November 2 , 2004.

About VoterVirgin
VoterVirgin is designed to stimulate dialogue and create a culture of fun around first time voting. www.votervirgin.com provides a variety of ways to register and recruit new voters with a smile. 100% non partisan and preach free, VoterVirgin opens the door to engage a broad spectrum of participation.

About Rock the Vote
Founded in 1990 by members of the recording industry, Rock the Vote is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and empowering young people to change their world. Over the past decade, Rock the Vote has called on young people to recognize their role in creating significant political and social change. In addition to registering over three million new young voters, Rock the Vote street teams are engaging young people as civic activists in their communities and contributors to the political process. These street teams have organized, educated and registered voters at thousands of concerts, community festivals, college campuses, pride events and coffee shops across the nation.

About the Austin Marley Fest
The eleventh annual Austin Marley Festival brings thousands of reggae fans to Auditorium Shores for two days of music, food, arts & crafts and fun. The event celebrates the loving spirit of Bob Marley, whose message of peace, tolerance and non-violent change continues to build global momentum even twenty years after his death.Over the last ten years, the Austin Marley Festival has raised more than 200,000 pounds of food for the Capitol Area Food Bank serving 800 local food pantries in the Central Texas area.