Voter Verifying Campaign Launched; Higher Minority Voter Turnout is Goal

Voter Verifying Campaign Launched; Higher Minority Voter Turnout is Goal; NAACP Natl. Voter TV, Radio, Print, Internet Ads Started

10/27/2004 4:06:00 PM

To: National Desk, Political Reporter

Contact: Andi Pringle, 202-270-7404, or Scott Treibitz, 703-276-2772x11

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Voter verification is the thrust of a new nationwide voter education effort being launched by the non-partisan NAACP National Voter Fund (NVF), designed to generate the largest minority voter turnout in any presidential election. The NAACP television, Internet, radio and print ad campaign can be seen at http://www.naacpnvf.org.

In new radio spots the announcer says, "We learned in 2000 that there is more to voting than just casting your ballot on Election Day. You've got to Check It - verify your status as a registered voter. Know your polling place, when it opens and closes. What are the ID requirements, what are your rights and what are provisional ballots?"

"There are forces doing everything in their power to deny us the right to exercise our full voting power. If the election of 2000 taught us nothing else, it's that being eligible to vote, and even casting a ballot, can be quite different from having your vote counted," said Moore. "Five million people who got up to vote on November 7, 2000 never had their votes counted. This is not the way a democracy should be run."

According to Moore, hundreds of thousands of voters in the 2000 election found out they had been tossed off the voter rolls, misclassified as felons, nonresidents, or non-citizens. Hundreds of thousands more went to polling places that had run out of ballots, or had faulty voting equipment, or were being run by misinformed election workers. Untold numbers of others grew discouraged by hours-long lines or were intimidated by opposition political operatives who challenged their eligibility to vote.

"My advice to all voters this year is no matter what, don't let anything or anyone stop you from voting on November 2. We all have an obligation to be informed when we vote and it starts with knowing your rights as a voter," said Moore. Voters can check their rights and registration by calling 866-OUR-VOTE.

"If the African American community wants to make a difference on issues, we must turn out to the polls and vote. Verification is the first step," said Moore. "We're all focused on international security, but we must also focus on whether our voting rights are secure."

"Our goal is to bring as many voters to the polls as possible," said Moore. "We want people, especially those who have been traditionally disenfranchised, to have an impact in this election.

NVF has registered 225,000 new voters nationwide as part of its Empowerment 2004 campaign, including 80,000 new voters in Ohio. The Empowerment 2004 campaign, a dual-track voter mobilization and voter education program, is focusing on increasing African American civic participation.