ROCK THE VOTE STATEMENT ON KENTUCKY GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON VOTING RIGHTS RESTORATION

Washington, DC – November 24, 2015

Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane released the following statement following the decision of Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear to sign an executive order on Tuesday that will, according to the Brennan Center, allow over 170,00 Kentuckians with non-violent convictions and who have fully completed their sentences (including probation and parole) the ability to restore their voting rights through a simple rights restoration process.

“We applaud Kentucky Gov. Beshear’s decision to make one of his last acts in office restoring the right to vote to 170,000 Kentucky citizens with past criminal convictions. Democracy works best when all eligible citizens participate and make their voices heard -- including American citizens who live, work and raise families in our communities after serving their time. We hope Iowa and Florida follow Kentucky’s lead, as they are the only two states remaining where those with prior criminal convictions lose their voting rights permanently.”

Nearly 6 million American citizens are unable vote because of a past criminal conviction. As many as 4.4 million of these citizens live, work, and raise families in our communities. But because of a conviction in their past they are still denied this fundamental democratic right. These laws, deeply rooted in our troubled racial history, have a disproportionate impact on minorities. Across the country, 13 percent of African-American men have lost their right to vote, which is seven times the national average.

ABOUT ROCK THE VOTE

Rock the Vote is the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization in the country driving the youth vote to the polls. Since 1990, Rock the Vote has fused pop culture, music, art and technology to fulfill its mission of building long-term youth political power. During the past six Presidential elections, Rock the Vote ran the largest voter registration drives for young people and has partnered with more than 25,000 partners through its online, multi-lingual voter registration tool. Rock the Vote is dedicated to mobilizing the vote, protecting voting rights and advocating for an electoral process and voting system that works for the Millennial generation, America's largest and most diverse population in its history.

Contacts: Kiki Burger | media@rockthevote.com | 202-719-9910

Rock the Vote joins 40 civil and human rights groups calling on debate moderators to address voting rights

Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane released the following statement about the call on presidential debate hosts to discuss voting rights:

“Rock the Vote is proud to stand alongside 40 civil and human rights groups that are calling on voting rights to become an issue in the presidential debates. We are urging tonight’s debate host, CNBC, to make the third Republican presidential debate the first that asks our country’s potential future leader what it would do to strengthen the Voting Rights Act. In addition, we co-signed a letter to MSNBC president Phil Griffin to do the same when the news network hosts the second Democratic debate in November. Voting rights are one of our country’s most critical issues, and following the Supreme Court’s decision in 2013 to strike down parts of the Voting Rights Act, voters need to know where the candidates stand in restoring those rights.”

 About Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote is the largest non-profit and non-partisan organization in the United States building the political power of young people. Fusing pop culture, politics, and technology, Rock the Vote works to mobilize the millennial voting bloc and the youth vote, protect voting rights, and advocate for an electoral process and voting system that works for the 21st century electorate. Since 1990, Rock the Vote has revolutionized the use of pop culture, music, art and technology to inspire political activity. Now, for almost 25 years, Rock the Vote has pioneered ways to make voting easier by simplifying and demystifying voter registration and elections for young adults.

 Rock the Vote has run the largest voter registration drives for young people on record during the past six Presidential elections. In 2008 and 2012, our on-the-ground efforts, online organizing, and cutting-edge tools and technologies made us the largest non-partisan voter engagement campaign in the nation. All of these efforts have resulted in Rock the Vote processing nearly seven million voter registrations, bringing millions more to the polls, and becoming a trusted resource for young people, government agencies, and technological innovators passionate about political discourse and engagement.

Contacts:

Kiki Burger | kiki@rockthevote.com | 202.719.9910

Rock the Vote Applauds California for Enacting Automatic Voter Registration

Governor Jerry Brown Signs Auto Registration Bill Into Law Today

October 10, 2015

Rock the Vote applauds California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) for signing a bill into law today that will automatically register eligible citizens to vote when they interact with the DMV. According to the Brennan Center, there are 6.6 million eligible but unregistered citizens in California, and this measure could dramatically boost California’s registration rate, which was ranked 38th in the country in 2012.

“Our democracy is strongest when all eligible voters are empowered to participate. Implementing automatic voter registration is an effective ways to boost participation, especially when it comes to young people across California,” ”said Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane. “We thank Governor Brown for his leadership and bold action to increase voter participation in the state of California, and we hope other states will follow his lead in making registration and voting easier for young people.” 

 The results from a statewide survey, released by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) in June of this year, found that 69% of California adults favor registering all eligible citizens to vote when they go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

 California is the third state in the country to pass automatic registration and the second state to enact it. This law simplifies the registration process by putting the onus on the government to register eligible voters. California is the largest state to adopt automatic voter registration.

In March of this year, Oregon became the first state to enact automatic voter registration, and the New Jersey’s legislature passed a bill this past June that Gov. Chris Christie has yet to sign.

###  About Rock the Vote Rock the Vote is the largest non-profit and non-partisan organization in the United States building the political power of young people. Fusing pop culture, politics, and technology, Rock the Vote works to mobilize the millennial voting bloc and the youth vote, protect voting rights, and advocate for an electoral process and voting system that works for the 21st century electorate. Since 1990, Rock the Vote has revolutionized the use of pop culture, music, art and technology to inspire political activity. Now, for almost 25 years, Rock the Vote has pioneered ways to make voting easier by simplifying and demystifying voter registration and elections for young adults. Rock the Vote has run the largest voter registration drives for young people on record during the past six Presidential elections. In 2008 and 2012, our on-the-ground efforts, online organizing, and cutting-edge tools and technologies made us the largest non-partisan voter engagement campaign in the nation. All of these efforts have resulted in Rock the Vote processing nearly seven million voter registrations, bringing millions more to the polls, and becoming a trusted resource for young people, government agencies, and technological innovators passionate about political discourse and engagement. See more information here. 

Important Information on How to Get a Valid ID to Vote in Alabama

Hey, Alabama! Can’t wait to flex your power and vote?

Well (record scratch sound effect) – the state just made things way harder for you.

This week, 31 DMV offices – you know, the places where you can get the most commonly used form of a photo ID: a driver’s license – were closed down across the state.

This is a huge problem, considering the fact that possessing a valid photo ID became a requirement to voting in Alabama last year.

With all the modern advancements being made everyday, voting should be getting easier. NOT more difficult.

Do not be discouraged from voting. We want to help empower you to show up on Election Day.

Here’s some helpful info on acceptable IDs and how you can get one:

First, if you can make your way to an open DMV, you can get a driver’s license, which you can vote with. Here’s the list of open DMVs here.

If you can’t get an Alabama driver’s license or don’t want one, you can use several other types of photo ID to vote, including:

·       a valid passport;

·       a valid state-issued ID (by Alabama or any other state);

·       a valid employee ID from the federal government or from the State of Alabama or any of its counties, municipalities, boards, or other entities of the state;

·       a valid federally issued ID; a valid military ID;

·       a valid Alabama non-driver ID; and a valid tribal ID;

·       a valid student (and campus employee) ID from a public or private college or university in the state of Alabama (including postgraduate technical or professional schools).

If you don’t have any of these IDs, you can apply for a free photo ID from your local county registrars. Important note - make sure you don’t have any of the accepted IDs before applying for a free voter ID! Alabama is very strict on this one – applying for a free ID when you possess another acceptable ID is against the law.

How to get a FREE Alabama Voter Identification Card:

Step 1: Make sure that your voter registration is up to date. In order to get a voter ID card, you must be registered to vote. You can do that through rtvote.com/alabama.

Step 2: Request your Alabama Voter Identification Card by filling out this form (forms are also be available in-person). 

Step 3: Present the form in person, either by bringing it with you or by filling it out in person.

Step 4: To get a free ID, you do need to bring some documentation along with you. You can bring any one of the following documents:

While we must work to make voter registration and casting a vote easier for every American, we cannot be discouraged from taking the steps necessary to participating on Election Day. 

Please let us know if you have any questions by emailing info@rockthevote.com or tweeting us at @RockTheVote

We teamed up with hello giggles​ to find comedians to convince us to vote. Needless to say, we’re convinced. 

✔️REGISTER TODAY HERE: http://rtvote.com/hellogiggles

In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we’re releasing a video in partnership with ijreview, staring Kendall Jenner! #CelebrateNVRD

Rock the Vote Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act

Washington, DC - August 6, 2015 -- Rock the Vote, the largest non-profit and non-partisan organization in the United States building the political power of young people, honors the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by calling on lawmakers to restore the VRA in its entirety. 

“Today we honor the 50th anniversary of the historic Voting Rights Act, the most significant pieces of legislation removing barriers to the ballot box,” says Ashley Spillane, President of Rock the Vote. “We commend the young people who sacrificed so much and marched 50 years ago to protect their fundamental right to make their voice heard through voting, but there is still work to do. Millennials want free and fair access to the ballot box -- and an elections process that meets the needs of the 21st century electorate. We must reform our elections to include online voter registration, longer early vote periods, and longer polling hours. Voting is not a partisan issue, and we should all be doing what we can to generate greater participation among the largest, most diverse generation in this country’s history. The exclusion of eligible voters in the electoral system is a serious and dangerous problem facing our democracy.”

With 12,000 Americans turning 18 every day, it’s more important than ever for young people to feel empowered to set the course for our country by making their voices heard at the ballot box. 

Make sure that you’re registered to vote

We met pentatonixofficial last night, and they are AH-MAY-ZING. Loved chatting with them before their mind-blowing set. Thanks to the band for being so friendly and welcoming!! 

Rock the Vote on SB 179 In New Hampshire

Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane released the following statement after New Hampshire’s State House passed SB 179 yesterday:

"Considering how much people complain that our generation doesn’t care about politics, it’s disheartening to see efforts to discourage our participation in places like New Hampshire. We believe our elected officials should agree that our democracy is strongest when more people participate, particularly young people who represent our country's future. With that goal in mind, we should be working to elevate the voices of young Americans, not silencing them with measures that can disproportionately impact their right to vote."

Let’s hear it for Vermont!

As of yesterday, ‪‎Vermont became the 15th state, along with the District of Columbia, to offer same-day voter registration – a move that will make it easier for young people to exercise their rights at the ballot box.

There are significant benefits of same day voter registration. It leads to higher turnout, on average by 10 percentage points compared to states without same day registration, partially because it eliminates deadlines that occur before most voters are actually tuned into what’s happening in an election.

To learn more about the benefits of same day registration, check out this great explainer from our friends at Demos: http://www.demos.org/publication/what-same-day-registration-where-it-available

Every Vote Counts

Think your vote doesn't matter? Think again.

Take 5 minutes to register to vote or update your voter registration

How student debt became a presidential campaign issue

According to The Washington Post​, Millennials account for about 25% of the voting-age population, while owning about 65% of student loans.

In other words, student debt is a major problem for young people and in part because of our generation, presidential hopefuls are taking notice.

Now we need to take the next step - register and turn out to vote!

See the Washignton Post article as it originally appears here.

Rock the Vote, LinkedIn and McGraw Hill Financial Global Institute Host First Millennial Economic Forum at US Chamber of Commerce

Bipartisan Discussion on Millennial Americans Highlights Economic Challenges Facing Millennial Generation, Opportunities to Engage Young People in Government

From L to R: Nick Timiraos, Wall Street Journal; Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23); Ashley Spillane, Rock the Vote; Allen Blue, LinkedIn; Dr. Beth Ann Bovino, S&P Ratings; Rep. Patrick Murphy (FL-18). Photo Credit: Tony Powell for Rock the Vote.

Washington, DC – This morning Rock the Vote, LinkedIn, and the McGraw Hill Financial Global Institute hosted the inaugural Millennial Economic Forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The event featured panelists including Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane, LinkedIn Co-Founder Allen Blue, Rep. Patrick Murphy (FL-18), Rep. Will Hurd (TX-23), and Dr. Beth Ann Bovino, Chief U.S. Economists, S&P Ratings, moderated by Wall Street Journal economic correspondent Nick Timiraos, for a wide ranging discussion about the economic challenges facing the Millennial generation and opportunities to engage young people in the political process specifically around these critical issues.

The discussion was centered around a new Standard & Poor’s report from Dr. Bovino on Millennials and the U.S. economy that outlines how the student loan debt Millennials are graduating with, which is the largest amount of debt in American history, is having a disproportionate impact on the economy as a whole – including the housing market, credit access, and the American workforce.

“This morning’s panel provided a great opportunity to discuss the challenges facing our generation and the potential we have as the largest generation in American history to be the most influential bloc in the country – forcing politicians to pay attention to the issues that Millennials are dealing with,” said Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane. “We need more elected officials and candidates talking about our issues and demonstrating the value of civic engagement to our generation. Only then will Millennials truly tap into our potential to shape the country’s future.”

“I want to thank our participants, Allen Blue from LinkedIn, Reps. Patrick Murphy (FL-18) and Will Hurd (TX-23), and Dr. Beth Ann Bovino of S&P Ratings, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for making this such a successful event. We hope to do similar events across the country, engaging more leaders to think about the challenges Millennials are grappling with,” added Spillane.

Photo Credit: Tony Powell for Rock the Vote.

Currently, Millennials spend around $600 billion annually with that amount potentially increasing to $1.4 trillion a year by 2020, and the Millennial generation recently became the largest share of the American workforce at an estimated 53.5 million.  As a whole, the generation is the largest in the country at nearly 93 million in population, according to census estimates.

In part, Dr. Bovino’s report indicates that massive student loan debt, coupled with ongoing wage stagnation, could cost the American economy $244 billion over the next five years. Dr. Bovino's report also noted additional economic challenges facing Millennials, including the fact that only 55% are saving for retirement because they're already carrying significant debt. Her report full report can be read here.

Throughout the conversation, panelists also discussed the need to speak with young people with an authentic voice in order to effectively capture their attention.  Congressman Patrick Murphy also highlighted the need for Washington to produce results in order to build trust with Millennial Americans.

“I believe that if we are really going to get Millennials more involved, we going to have to prove to them that we can deliver,” said Murphy.

Congressman Will Hurd discussed the need for his colleagues in Congress to engage in a sustained conversation with Millennial Americans beginning immediately. Already, Hurd says, Congress is seeing the opportunity and the need to advance this dialogue.

“I think people realize there’s an opportunity with this large group of people that have not been as engaged,” said Hurd. “We’re not where we need to be, of course, but I think people recognize we need to move forward,” said Hurd.  

Photo Credit: Tony Powell for Rock the Vote.

LinkedIn’s Allen Blue highlighted the economic demand for a skilled workforce to meet the needs of employers in today’s economy, a point that emphasizes the need for ongoing investments in higher education despite the financial challenges that may currently exist for certain Millennials. “The skills gap is a real thing actually exists,” said Blue.

Rock the Vote plans to announce additional forums and conversations in the near future. 

ROCK THE VOTE STATEMENT ON FLORIDA’S ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION LAW

Washington, DC – Rock the Vote President Ashley Spillane released the following statement after online voter registration legislation became law in Florida: “Our democracy is strongest when more people exercise their right to vote, and as a principle, we ought to encourage everyone who is eligible to have their voice heard at the ballot box. Online voter registration has already proven to boost participation in other states, particularly with young people, and Florida’s move toward this system is a welcome one.” About Rock the Vote Rock the Vote is the largest non-profit and non-partisan organization in the United States building the political power of young people. Fusing pop culture, politics, and technology, Rock the Vote works to mobilize the millennial voting bloc and the youth vote, protect voting rights, and advocate for an electoral process and voting system that works for the 21st century electorate. Since 1990, Rock the Vote has revolutionized the use of pop culture, music, art and technology to inspire political activity. Now, for almost 25 years, Rock the Vote has pioneered ways to make voting easier by simplifying and demystifying voter registration and elections for young adults. Rock the Vote has run the largest voter registration drives for young people on record during the past six Presidential elections. In 2008 and 2012, our on-the-ground efforts, online organizing, and cutting-edge tools and technologies made us the largest non-partisan voter engagement campaign in the nation. All of these efforts have resulted in Rock the Vote processing nearly seven million voter registrations, bringing millions more to the polls, and becoming a trusted resource for young people, government agencies, and technological innovators passionate about political discourse and engagement.  

Millennials surpass Gen Xers as the largest generation in U.S. labor force

More than one-in-three American workers today are Millennials (adults ages 18 to 34 in 2015), and this year they surpassed Generation X to become the largest share of the American workforce, according to new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data.

This milestone occurred in the first quarter of 2015, as the 53.5 million-strong Millennial workforce has risen rapidly. The Millennial labor force had last year surpassed that of the Baby Boom, which has declined as Boomers retire.

Our new analysis of labor force estimates is based on the monthly Current Population Survey, which serves as the basis for the official unemployment rate and labor force counts announced by the federal government each month.

With its disproportionately large share of immigrants, and at an age of transition from college to the working world, the Millennial generation’s workforce is highly likely to grow even further in the near future.

First, immigration to the U.S. will continue to disproportionately enlarge the ranks of the Millennial labor force. Immigrants coming to the U.S. are disproportionately in their young working years. Relatively speaking, few immigrants come to the U.S. during childhood or during older adulthood. In the past five years, over half of newly arrived immigrant workers have been Millennials.

In addition, a significant chunk of the Millennial population are 18- to 24-year-olds. These are the years when school and college-going are often center-stage, and as a result, labor force participation is suppressed. As the youngest Millennials get older, more of them will be looking for or getting jobs. Just how many more is tough to know, but the behavior of the Gen X population provides some clues.

Generation X’s labor force participation rate peaked in 2008 at 84%. In 1998, Gen Xers were roughly the same ages (18 to 33) as today’s Millennials, and that year, only 80% of the Gen X population was in the labor force. So we can assume that the Millennial labor force still has some room for growth in the years to come.

For Generation X (ages 35 to 50 in 2015), their place as the dominant generation within the labor force was very short-lived – just three years – and, on a chart, might even get missed, as they are sandwiched in between Boomers and Millennials. In 2012, the Gen X labor force (52.9 million) overtook the Baby Boom labor force to become the largest generation in the workforce, but that likely ended this year.

One caveat is that it’s possible that the Gen X labor force might grow. Immigration will add some workers to the Gen X labor force. Also, labor force participation has been diminished due to the Great Recession and modest economic recovery. If the job market continues to improve in the post-recession era, some Gen Xers will likely return to the labor market in stronger numbers. At the same time, though, the Gen X labor force is aging. The oldest Gen Xer is now 50, and thus beginning to age out of the prime working years (25 to 54), and this might counteract any potential growth in the Gen X workforce.

It’s worth noting that the Millennial population as a whole (not just its workforce) is already projected to surpass that of Baby Boomers this year as the nation’s largest living generation, according to the Census Bureau.

In the first quarter of 2015, about 45 million Baby Boomers were in the labor force. The Baby Boom workforce peaked in size at nearly 66 million in 1997. The youngest Boomer is now 51 years old, while the oldest Boomers are approaching age 70. With more Boomers retiring every year and not much immigration to affect their size, the size of the Boomer workforce will continue to shrink.

Content originally published by pewresearch here

Millennials Rock the Marriage Debate

By Ashley Spillane, President of Rock the Vote

Last week the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that could bring marriage equality to every state in the country. The fact that they're even hearing this case, let alone are on the verge of extending this right across the country, is a direct result of the power young people have demonstrated in recent years when it comes to shaping our country's future. It also showcases the opportunity for our generation to do more, and that's an opportunity we can't afford to let slip by. We need to be even more engaged in the political process because if we don't, the future we live in will be shaped without our input.

According to Pew Research, 67 percent of young Americans support marriage equality. And if the court ultimately decides to extend this right to all states, young people should take pride in knowing that their views played a significant role in forcing and shaping this debate. Beyond exercising our power at the ballot box in recent elections, and as an extension, support for marriage equality, young people are also being credited for lobbying and changing the minds of the older generation by simply forcing a dialogue about how our generation approaches this debate. In fact, it has been reported that many politicians have altered their position on marriage equality in large part because of conversations they've had with their millennial children, a fact that highlights how these conversations are just as important as voting in elections.

This cultural shift is obviously significant. But where we go from here is just as important. There are 93 million of us in America right now, and as a result, we have the potential to be the most powerful voting bloc in the country. Imagine what we could do if we harnessed that number, and the power that comes with it, into action at the ballot box? Politicians would not only be forced to listen to our views but similarly be forced to act upon them. If not, they'd know that we would hold them accountable in the next election.

In the same way that so many young people were at the forefront of the civil rights movement in the 1960s, we can and should shape the future of our country on other issues that matter to us, regardless of what they are.

Politicians are ultimately responsible to the voters every election. The people who make our laws, the laws they write, and the way they're enforced and interpreted -- the whole system is a direct reflection of our engagement at the ballot box. We need to recognize that reality, show up, and participate, because if we don't, the future that we will inherit will be shaped without us. We can't afford to let that happen.

See this Op-Ed as it originally appears here. 

Ashley Spillane is the president of Rock the Vote, the largest nonprofit and nonpartisan organization in the country building the political power of young people. You can register to vote at www.rockthevote.com/register.

New Report Looks at Unprecedented Challenges Facing Millennial Parents

The Young Invincibles (younginvincible) produced a fascinating report on the challenges that Millennial parents are facing as they raise families. According to the report: 

- More than 1 in 5 Millennial parents is in poverty (a nearly 40 percent increase since the start of the new millennium)

- Affordable childcare on college campuses, paid leave, and flexible and secure work scheduling could make a significant different in supporting young parents. 

- Young parents are working the midnight shift at twice the rate of young non-parents. 

Read the full report here: http://rtvote.com/1blViWP