STAMFORD Conn. August 15 2005 – In an effort to maintain the momentum achieved by the largest turnout of voters under 30 in U.S. history Smackdown Your Vote! today issued a new voter issues paper (VIP) addressing the key issues facing

18-to-30-year-old Americans and unveiled a network of 35 organizations committed to encouraging greater numbers of young Americans to engage in this country’s democratic process.

The 2004 election saw an 11 percent increase in voter turnout among Americans under 30 – the greatest increase among all groups – as a result of an effective coordinated effort among many dedicated organizations.  Smackdown Your Vote!’s updated 18-30 VIP and the Smackdown Your Vote! Network have been created to further that success. 

Information and important questions regarding the economy education Iraq and national security health care and Social Security are found within the VIP.  The VIP encourages 18-to-30-year-olds to use this information to engage their elected officials on these key issues for young adults in preparation for fall elections in 2005 and national mid-term elections in 2006.

The VIP is based on the most recent research conducted by top national polls and other sources including the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) the Congressional Budget Office and Harvard University’s Institute of Politics. 

Committed to distributing The 18-30 VIP the members of the newly formed Smackdown Your Vote! Network will use the document to encourage a dialogue among candidates and young adults by having candidates address the issues in writing and through community forums. 

Charter members of the newly created network include Close Up Foundation (First Vote) Declare Yourself League of Women Voters Harvard University’s Institute of Politics 18to35 PIRG New Voters Project the University of Virginia Center for Politics Youth Leadership Initiative George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management Rock the Vote Mobilizing America’s Youth United States Student Association Kids Voting USA APIA VOTE (Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote) 20/20 Vision Black Youth Vote (a program of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation) Forum for Youth Investment Generation Engage and World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. 

Also part of the network is the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement which includes Allegheny College The Center for Political Participation Birmingham Southern College The Hess Center for Leadership and Service Clark Atlanta University The Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights Elon University Institute of Politics and Public Affairs Grinnell College Harvard University Institute of Politics Louisiana State University Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs Ohio State University The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Eagleton Institute of Politics Saint Anselm College The New Hampshire Institute of Politics Tufts University University College of Citizenship and Public Service University of Kansas The Dole Institute University of Oklahoma Carl Albert Center for Congressional Research and Studies University of Rochester University of Tennessee Knoxville Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy University of Texas Annette Strauss Institute of Civic Participation The University of Southern California Jesse M Unruh Institute of Politics The University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politics University of Virginia and the Center for Politics Vanderbilt University Office of Active Citizenship and Service.

Smackdown Your Vote! founded in July 2000 is a nonpartisan approach to getting young people involved in the political process and registered to vote.  For more information on Smackdown Your Vote! or to view The 18-30 VIP please visit smackdownyourvote.com.

                                                            -30-

Media Contacts:         
Gary Davis World Wrestling Entertainment 203-353-5066
Sara Conrath League of Women Voters 202-263-1332
Jen Lucas Youth Leadership Initiative 434-243-3538
Jonathan Zaff 18 to 35 202-543-0828
Esten Perez Harvard University’s Institute of Politics 617-496-4009
John Kornacki George Washington University 202-994-9590
David B. Smith Mobilizing America’s Youth 202-736-5703
Ashley Philips Generation Engage 202-558-2285
Dave Rosenfeld Student PIRGs 503-231-4181
Penny Wright Declare Yourself 310-385-4041
Paula Case Kids Voting USA 480-921-3727 x107
Hans Riemer Rock the Vote 202-213-1072
Chuck Tampio Close Up-First Vote 703-706-3343
Ryan Spaeth 20/20 Vision 301-587-1782
Stefanie Thompson Presidential Classroom 800-441-6533
David Moore Forum for Youth Investment 202-207-3333

Trademarks:  The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming talent names images likenesses slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.