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For immediate release.
August 15, 2000
Contact: Jesse Rutledge, N.C. Center for Voter Education,
(919) 839-1200

Center Launches Campaign to Combat Voter Apathy

RALEIGH - The North Carolina Center for Voter Education has launched the first two components of its fall initiative Go Vote, a campaign intended to combat voter apathy and to increase public awareness of the November elections.

The Go Vote project includes televised public service announcements and an on-line voter's guide, available at www.ncvotered.com under the banner "Go Vote".

"The decline in voter turnout in recent years is cause for serious concern," said the Center's Executive Director, Chris Heagarty, who noted that North Carolina ranks in the bottom 10 states for voter turnout. He noted that there has been a steady decline in primary election turnout, with only 17 percent of registered voters having voted in this May's primary.

"The Go Vote project does two things," Heagarty continued. "It reminds everyone of the importance of voting, and it also provides citizens with one website where they can get many of their voting-related questions answered."

The Center has distributed two public service announcements, which encourage citizens to vote in the November 7th election, to broadcast networks across the state. Both spots are also available for viewing in live-streaming format on the Center's website, at www.ncvotered.com/govote.

One of the announcements pays tribute to inspirational leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Presidents John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. The other remembers the sacrifice of veterans who fought for our democracy. "On November 7th, Go Vote," says a caption on the second spot. "After all they've done for you, it's the least you can do for them."

Both announcements direct viewers to the Center's website, http://www.ncvotered.com, where they will find an on-line voter's guide under the Go Vote banner. Because the Center is nonpartisan, no information on candidates is provided. However, the on-line guide provides comprehensive voting information, such as how and when to register to vote, and how to vote using an absentee ballot.

The website also features background on the offices that are up for election this fall. In the "ballot information" section, for example, visitors can find details on the history of the nine Council of State offices and the statewide judicial races, such as Agriculture Commissioner and Court of Appeals judge, as well as a job description for each office. Data is also provided on salaries and recent campaign costs.

"North Carolina has one of the longest ballots in the country," Heagarty continued. "The on-line voter guide will hopefully assist people in understanding what all of these offices actually do."

The N.C. Center for Voter Education is a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization based in Raleigh dedicated to improving the quality and responsiveness of North Carolina's election system. Former U.S. Senator Robert Morgan serves as chairman of the board.

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