Rock the Vote! Rock the Vote! Rock the Vote!
Tomorrow is the day to rock the vote!
Recall in 2004, Neil Young and Pearl Jam were a few of the seventeen musicians who took part in the Vote for Change tour - caravanning through battleground states to Get Out The Vote.
Pearl Jam & Neil Young - All Along the Watchtower - Pro Shot, from the Vote for Change Tour 2004
Check out Neil's message at conclusion.
An indie film crew made up of Jeff Ament's filmmaker/ skater friends (see sixstair.com) documented the experience. They captured portions of each of concerts, the crowds, on-the-street interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage leading up to Election Day 2004 - all in 8mm film.
View the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/user/PearlJamOfficial. Part 1 is now online at http://www.pearljam.com/activism/vfc.php.
From a Time Magazine interview with Neil Young in 2005:
"I'm a Canadian. I'd like to vote in the U.S. election because I feel like I've got just as much right to vote in them as anybody else. I've lived here for so long, paid taxes for so long and my kids have to register for selective service. I guess I could be a dual citizen, but if I ever had to give up my Canadian citizenship to become American I wouldn't do it, because I wouldn't want to hurt Canada. I love Canada."
Steve Earle - "The Revolution Starts Now" at the Operation Ceasefire Concert in Wasington DC on 9/24/2005
Neil Young - "Sea Change" from Way Out West Festival, Göteborg, Sweden, 6/9/08
IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION
With the U.S. Presidential Election on Tuesday, 11/4, here is some useful information to have on election day:
- If you have problems at the polls, call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). Program this # into your cell now. Also, if you have a cell camera be prepared to use. Photograph any problems at polls and call # to upload.
Identification Required at the Polls. Acceptable Forms of ID include:
- Photo ID, such as Driver's license, state ID card, student ID card or tribal ID card
- Voter Registration Card
- Utility Bill
- Bank Statement
- Paycheck Stub
- Government Check or Other Government Document
(*Note: Voter without ID may vote a provisional ballot.)
How to Find Your Polling Place:
http://www.voteforchange.com/
You Have the Right to Vote
Here is what you can do to safeguard your vote.
- Find Out Who is in Charge - Make a list of your county and state election officials.
- Verify Your Registration - Verify your vote and your polling station BEFORE you head to the polls. Visit www.vote.wa.gov to check.
- Vote Early - Beat the lines and free up your time to help others get to the polls.
- Document and Report - If you witness any problems at the polling place, call your election officials or 1-866-Our-Vote for election protection information. Make sure to keep a detailed record of the facts including location, names and the problem.
- Plan Ahead for Long Lines - Go with friends or bring phones, iPods, snacks or reading materials. Make it fun and encourage others to stay in line too.
- Verify Your Vote - If using an electronic voting machine, check your screen and make sure it produces a paper record. Check to see everything is correct.
- Ask for Provisional Ballots - If for any reason you are turned away at the polls, be sure to ask for a Provisional Ballot (i.e. no I.D., wrong polling location, not on the voter rolls, etc.. Your vote will be counted if you are eligible.
- Spread the Word - Make sure your friends and family know these rights and they too encourage others to get to the polls. Visit www.ivoteyouvote.com to help others make that important voting connection
- Don't Believe the Polls - Be sure to make your vote heard. Don't be persuaded by polling numbers to not cast your vote. Polls can be wrong. Every vote needs to be cast and counted.
[Voters who experience problems voting are advised to not leave your polling station but to call a hotline 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) instead to get advice. The hotline will be staffed with legal experts who can help you determine your voting rights. The Election Protection group running the hotline will also have legal experts in the field monitoring situations at the polls. If you don't have a legal question but simply want to report a problem you had, you can call a separate hotline 866-MYVOTE1 (866-698-6831) and leave a recorded message. Be sure to leave your name and phone number on the recording if you want someone to investigate your problem.]
And ROCK the VOTE!