http://www.rockthevote.org/

Rock the Vote was established by music industry leaders to engage youth in the political process. It is best known for its work to organize voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote events, and voter education efforts for young adults. But its web mission is wider, as its boldly colored, Flash-enhanced website makes clear.

The interactive menu featured at the top of every web page offers a spectrum of options: "Action," "Issues," "Programs," "Street Team," "Donate," "RTV Blog," "RTV Gear," and, of course, "Register to Vote." "Register to Vote" links to a voter registration form that visitors can fill out and send to their state elections office. Rock the Vote uses the slogan, "Fill it and print it, lick it and mail it," to describe the process. A section of the site called "Chicks Rock, Chicks Vote!" focuses on young women. It provides links related to women's issues and activism, a "Government 101" fact sheet, and quotes from "women who rock."

The "Action" section spurs young people to take political and social action on "the issues you believe in." The page links to six issues -- free expression, violence, environment, education, economy, and debt -- where a paragraph highlights the problem and invites young people to take a stand. Minimal background information is provided, but for each issue links to activist organizations are supplied.

Rock the Vote keeps alive its roots in popular culture with "Community Street Teams." These teams of young people set up voter registrations stands at concerts and community events; visitors to the website are invited to join. Rock the Vote also partners with popular musicians to promote its cause, recently enlisting the Dixie Chicks in an effort to persuade young people, particularly young women, to register to vote in time for the 2004 election. The site also accommodates online donations and sells official Rock the Vote merchandise, from t-shirts to a RTV thong.

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