Everybody’s gearing up for this year’s presidential election, especially when it comes down to the youth vote. People seem extremely enthusiastic, including iconic figures such as Russell Simmons, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J and many more, who just launched their VOTE FOR IT 08! PSA announcement on Youtube.

On July 9th many gathered for the PSA unveiling and launch party, guests included Hip-Hop mogul, Russell Simmons and former CEO of the NAACP now, President of Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis. I got the chance to go to this event and speak with both gentlemen, who had very optimistic things to say about this year’s youth vote.

“The idea that young people are going to pick the president is one that’s inspiring to me” said Simmons to the crowd of people who gathered at Room Service in NYC for the event. Simmons continued by saying, “There are so many issues I think young people are more concerned about than the previous generations.”

When talking personally with Simmons I could tell how excited he was about this up coming election.
With an enthusiastic crowd chatting among each other about the impact that this year’s youth will have, there was much talk about what kind of turn out there will be come November.

“I think we’re going to have the largest youth vote turn out in American history this November”, said Dr. Benjamin Chavis.

Dr. Benjamin Chavis also commented to me about our special that aired last weekend, Election 08: The Y Factor, stating that he really enjoyed the special. As well he mentioned, “I thought Fox News went beyond what the other networks are doing a lot of people are underestimating the importance of this youth vote.”

I had to agree with him when he said a lot of people are underestimating the importance, because being in that youth voter range I know personally a lot of people are very concerned with who is going to be are next president and older generations do not realize that.

Vote for it 08 is really trying to get the word out to the youth about the importance of voting in the upcoming election and I think there on the right start. Using creative straw polls that seemed to be inspired by the youth during the event, such as the “Use your voice, drink your choice” ballot featuring the blue Obama Slammers and the red McCain Mashers encouraging young voters to utilize their voice this election.

The event was a great start to get people, not only the youth energized for November.

What the youth turn out will be in November, we’ll have to wait and see, but with events and organizations such as Vote for It 08, they are sure to get today’s youth riled up for this election. As Dr. Benjamin Chavis said, “In 2008, I think it’s going to be phenomenal.”

Source:
Fox News