Celebrities campaign to get young voting

With almost 40 percent of Americans still not voting, celebrities are stepping into the political spotlight.

In 2004, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group called "Declare Yourself" began encouraging young, first-time voters to find their own reason to vote. The group enlisted the help of such celebrities as Christina Aguilera, Andre 3000, Ben Affleck and much more. The campaign this year, "Only you can silence yourself," was kicked off by Jessica Alba in a provocative photo shoot with the starlet wrapped in duct tape, her mouth covered. Also helping is Ellen DeGeneres, who, all month long, is promoting the idea of registering to her audiences. The group's overall goal is to inspire young people to let their voice be heard, but some Weber State University students do not feel encouraged to vote by this campaign.

"I think it's tacky," said Daniel Lancaster, a WSU junior. "Voting is important. It sounds like they are just trying to turn it into a Calvin Klein advertisement."

Lancaster also expressed concern over the fact that many people will just cast a vote without considering which candidate would be best for the country.

"It's good to back voting," Lancaster said, "but the intent needs to be educating people about who the candidates are and what they support."

The "Declare Yourself" web site, www.declareyourself.com, has links and tabs that give not only first-time voters, but any voters, information about the election. It includes a list of the five candidates, from the Democratic Nominee Barack Obama to the Constitution Party's Nominee Chuck Baldwin. Also available are Senator Obama's and Senator McCain's viewpoints and aspirations for their service in office. It also includes each candidate's Web site. Although the Web site educates and provides information about voting, a first glance would give the wrong impression.

"I would think it was something else," said Sara Johnson, a WSU freshman.

Andrea Delgado, a freshman, also explained why the ads would not push her to go to the polls.

"It sounds like something discouraging," she said.

Eligible voters can register on the Declare Yourself Web site, where there is help in registering if a voter is abroad, in the military or in college out of state, and includes deadlines for registering. Also included on the Web site is a blog and more pictures, and even some movies, of celebrities showing their support. The celebrities who sponsor and support this group draw attention to the issue of voting.

"People look up to them," Johnson said. "I think when little kids see the celebrities, they will be encouraged to vote when they are older."