STAMFORD Conn. October 19 2005 –  New Jersey Gubernatorial candidates Senator Jon Corzine (D) and Doug Forrester (R) and Virginia Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Lt. Governor Tim Kaine have responded to Smackdown Your Vote’s 18-30 Voter Issues Paper (VIP) the national voter issues paper presented by WWE® and its Smackdown Your Vote! partners.   

The 18-30 VIP covers issues important to young Americans of voting age – such as the economy education Social Security health care and Iraq.  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.

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. The nearly 40 organizations who are part of the Smackdown Your Vote! Network use the 18-30 VIP to encourage a dialogue among candidates and young adults by having candidates address the issues in writing and through community forums.
“The gubernatorial candidates in New Jersey and Virginia who have responded to the 18-30 VIP have demonstrated that they are interested in getting the votes of 18-to 30-year-olds.  Young adults can make a difference in the outcome of these gubernatorial elections this November ” said Gary Davis Executive Director of WWE Smackdown Your Vote!.  “The VIP is one resource Smackdown Your Vote! is providing to young adults to further the dialogue with candidates for political office.”

Members of the Smackdown Your Vote! network include Harvard University’s Institute of Politics the University of Virginia Center for Politics Youth Leadership Initiative George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management 18to35 League of Women Voters Close Up Foundation (First Vote) Declare Yourself PIRG New Voters Project 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 Presidential Classroom Young Democrats of America and World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.

Smackdown Your Vote! founded in July 2000 is a non-partisan approach to getting young people involved in the political process and registered to vote. Smackdown Your Vote! undertakes voter registration at WWE live events visits to high schools and colleges and provides materials and resources to encourage active participation in their democracy.  For information on the program go to smackdownyourvote.com.

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford Conn. with offices in New York City Los Angeles Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

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Media Contacts:
 WWE: Gary Davis 203-353-5066; Kate Cox 203-352-8630

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