Get Your Friends to Vote (GYFTV) Campaign INFORMATION SHEET

WHY is there a problem?

This campaign was initiated in response to one simple question: who is responsible for addressing the needs and concerns of our generation? In a nation increasingly manipulated by special interests, those who wield their privilege like a vacuum sucking the life from our democracy, we are responsible for ourselves. It is up to people our age to motivate each other. It is up to us to involve our friends and family in the democratic process. The youth constituency finds itself stuck in a vicious cycle: We don’t vote, politicians don’t listen; politicians don’t listen, we don’t vote. Elected officials are accountable to their voters. When we neglect the ballot box, they push youth issues to the bottom of the agenda and our generation becomes more frustrated and apathetic. For the health of our democracy and the good our generation, Paddle for the Presidency is determined to build a bridge between young people and policy makers. The “Get Your Friends to Vote” campaign is our contribution. top

WHO will be involved?

Paddle for the Presidency has motivated over 100 dedicated volunteers to set up riverside events in cities along the Mississippi River. We are engaged in encouraging young people age 18-24 to paddle, help us with events, vote and participate in the political process. We plan to involve thousands more in our events and produce 1000 packets for distribution to event attendees. If each volunteer gets ten of his/her friends to vote, we will have assisted in the casting of 10,000 additional votes on November 2nd. We want young people to vote the first chance they get. However, youth voting is not just an issue for youth. Those who vote determine the path of our country, and the outcomes of elections affect all of us. We accept the support of any person, young or old, that is an active participant in our democratic system. We are building a coalition of people who would like to see full participation by all in the guiding of U.S. policy. top

WHAT is the plan?

The Paddle for the Presidency is organizing a canoe expedition that will paddle the entire 2,300-mile length of the Mississippi River this summer to draw attention to the importance of youth voting. Events have been organized in 13 riverside cities to rally politicians, young people, local businesses and entertainers around the idea of youth political engagement. At these events, young people will be asked sign a pledge to vote if “politicians will listen to them.” Simultaneously, politicians invited to speak and attend these events will be asked to sign a pledge to “pay attention to young people” and involve them in their political activities. Politicians will also agree to consider the ramifications of their decisions on future generations. Building on the foundation of this reciprocal agreement, interested young volunteers will be provided with packets containing all of the materials needed to register ten of their friends and get them to vote on Election Day. top

WHEN and WHERE will these activities take place?

The Paddle for the Presidency’s activities will focus on Mississippi River states and the largest cities that have grown from its banks. Events and dates are as shown:

(click on a city to see the event details)

HOW do we hold people accountable for their pledges?

YOUNG VOTERS - Following up on the “If politicians listen to me, I’ll vote” pledge

Paddle for the Presidency will gather pledges at events throughout the summer of 2004. Following the completion of the canoe expedition, P4P volunteers will follow up using the information provided at events by those pledging to vote and to register friends. Those who pledged to register ten other people will be contacted prior to the voter registration deadline for their specific state to remind them to get their friends registered and to send their friends’ contact information to the P4P staff. P4P volunteers or one of our partner organizations will contact every person who pledges to vote. In addition, the GYFTV volunteers will also be contacted on Election Day as a reminder to get themselves and their friends to the polls.

POLITICIANS - Following up the “I will listen to you” pledge

After collecting politician’s pledges to address the needs of young people, a list of participating officials will be uploaded onto our website, www.paddleforthepresidency.org.

The contact information for the offices of these officials will be provided to allow easy access for young people interested in reaching their representatives in government. Participating politicians will have also pledged to personally review and respond to the product of the Paddle for the Presidency’s summer adventure, a narrative addressing the views and issues important to young people called the Young American Bill of Rights (YABOR). top