STAMFORD, Conn. – July 19, 2004 – Thirty-four legislators representing 21 states today committed to respond to The 18-30 VIP, a national voter issues paper for 18-to 30-year-olds issued by Smackdown Your Vote!®

President George W. Bush, Sen. John F. Kerry, and U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek (D-FL) have all responded to The 18-30 VIP. Their responses are posted at smackdownyourvote.com, the League of Women Voters DNet website, and 18to35.org.

The legislators listed below have committed to respond to the The 18-30 VIP on issues regarding the economy, education, and their motivation for seeking public office.
All of the legislators who have committed to respond to the VIP are part of YES for Democracy. The focus for YES for Democracy is to enlist state elected officials across the country to engage young voters by holding youth debates and forums; encouraging young adults to become involved in political campaigns; and holding informational sessions for younger constituents.

“The young voters of this country have a right to know how their elected officials and candidates for public office stand on the issues that are important to them,” said Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-FL). “We hope that by responding to this group of Americans, they will vote in greater numbers on Election Day.” Sen. Aronberg is one of YES for Democracy’s national co-chairs along with Minnesota State Rep, Tony Sertich (DFL) and Ohio State Rep. Geoffrey Smith (R).

“These legislators are demonstrating tremendous leadership in reaching out to an underserved voting demographic: Americans ages 18-to-30,” said Gary Davis, executive director, WWE Smackdown Your Vote!. “The 18-30 VIP covers issues of the economy, education and how candidates relate to younger voters, all issues that are applicable whether you are running for president, federal office or state office. Responding to the VIP is an opportunity for candidates running for political office to speak directly to younger constituents of voting age on the issues that are important to them.”

The goal of the Smackdown Your Vote VIP partners is to increase voter participation among 18-to 30-year-olds by two million in this year’s elections in order to get 20 million young voters to the polls. The candidates for federal office, by formally responding to the issues that are of greatest concern to young Americans, have demonstrated their interest in these potential voters. This should encourage 18-to 30-year-olds that their votes will count in November.
The 18-30 VIP covers issues important to younger voters as determined by research conducted by various organizations, including Harvard University, was submitted to both major political party campaigns. Other organizations that participated in preparing or have endorsed the VIP are the Harvard Institute of Politics, MTV’s Choose or Lose, the League of Women Voters, Rock The Vote, New Voters Project, Hip-Hop Team Vote, 18to35, Declare Yourself, Youth Vote Coalition, the University of Virginia Center for Politics, Close Up/First Vote, The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s Paul Peck Presidential Initiative, and the National Council of LaRaza.

Smackdown Your Vote!, founded in July 2000, is a non-partisan approach to getting young people involved in the political process and voting. Through Smackdown Your Vote!, WWE® has collaborated with many non-profit, non-partisan organizations to engage 18-to 30-year-olds in the political process, including the League of Women Voters, Youth Vote Coalition, Rock The Vote, Harvard Institute of Politics, MTV’s Choose or Lose, New Voters Project, 18to35, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Close Up and the University of Virginia Center for Politics. The collaborative program’s goal is to get 20 million 18-to 30-year-olds to the polls in 2004, an increase of two million over the election turnout in 2000. In addition to conducting voter registration at WWE live events, Smackdown Your Vote! visits high schools and colleges across the country conducting voter registration rallies. For more information, go to smackdownyourvote.com.

Media Contact: Gary Davis, Executive Director, WWE Smackdown Your Vote!
203-353-5066

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List of State Legislators
Alaska Senator Johnny Ellis – 907-465-3704
Alaska Representative Mike Chenault – 907-465-3779
Arizona Representative Cheryl Chase – 602-542-5030
Arkansas Representative Bob Mathis – 501-321-0345
California Assemblywoman Wilma Chan – 510-286-1670
California Assemblywoman Sally Lieber – 916-319-2022
Colorado Representative Michael Garcia – 303-866-3911
Connecticut Representative Terry Backer – 860-240-8585
Florida Senator Dave Aronberg – 850-487-5356
Florida Representative Gayle Harrell – 772-221-4904
Kansas Representative R.J. Wilson – 620-230-0304
Kansas Representative Ed O’Malley – 913-262-0449
Maryland Delegate Bob Zirkin – 410-841-3342
Massachusetts Representative James Eldridge – 617-722-2060
Massachusetts Senator Robert Hedlund – 617-722-1646
Michigan Representative Gary Woronchak – 517-373-0847
Michigan Representative Jennifer Elkins – 517-373-8962
Michigan Representative Steve Tobocman – 517-373-0823
Minnesota Representative Lynne Osterman – 651-296-4176
Minnesota Representative Tony Sertich – 651-296-0712
Nebraska Senator Adrian Smith – 402-471-2802
Nevada Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie – 402-471-2720
Nevada Senator Dina Titus – 702-798-8348
Nevada Assemblyman Rod Sherer – 775-727-2400
New Mexico Senator Steve Komadina – 505-893-2840
New York Assemblyman Ryan Karben – 845-624-4601
New York Assemblyman Andrew Raia – 631-261-4151
North Dakota Representative Mary Ekstrom – 701-239-9326
Ohio Representative Geoff Smith – 614-644-6005
Ohio Representative Fred Strahorn – 614-466-2960
Pennsylvania Representative Jeff Coleman – 724-763-3222
Pennsylvania James Wansacz – 570-451-3110
Utah Representative David Litvack – 801-359-5211
Washington County Executive Aaron Reardon – 425-388-3460