Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote is a nonprofit organization for political advocacy, established in Los Angeles in 1990 by Jeff Ayeroff, co-chief of Virgin Records. Though its political affiliation has been disputed in recent years, the group does claim to be nonpartisan. The group argues that it was created as “a response to a wave of attacks on freedom of speech and artistic expression.”

Rock the Vote's main objectives are to increase youth voter turnout and encourage positive change in [Page 722]society. This is evident from the organization's slogan listed on its official Web site—“Political power for young people.” The central motto of the organization is also reflected through its numerous voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote events, and voter education efforts, which intend to ensure that young people exercise ...