WASHINGTON, DC - The NAB Education Foundation (NABEF) announced today that it will partner with the National Student/Parent Mock Election (NSPME) on a campaign to encourage students to become more involved in the election process. The groups will partner to promote National Student Mock Election Day, October 30, 2008.
NABEF is encouraging radio and television stations throughout the country to cover mock elections in local school districts and to sponsor school activities leading up to National Student Mock Election Day. The National Student/Parent Mock Election is the nation's largest voter education program, and is designed to make students and parents aware of the power of their ballot by actively involving them in a full-fledged campaign and national election.
"Local broadcasters are uniquely positioned to positively impact this worthwhile initiative," said NAB President and CEO David K. Rehr. "We are proud to partner with NSPME in this campaign to encourage American students to understand the voting process, an essential element in sustaining a strong democracy.
"This is a splendid opportunity for educators and student leaders to work with their TV and radio stations all across the country and make the voices of young voters heard. In the classrooms of today are presidents, senators, congressmen, governors, judges, and most importantly, the citizens and voters of tomorrow," said NSPME President Gloria Kirshner.
To assist local broadcasters, NABEF will develop a Mock Election Tool Kit with materials needed to begin partnering with schools. The tool kit will be will be accessible in mid-January on NABEF's Web site www.nabef.org.
NABEF's Station Mock Election Took Kit will include:
The tool kit will also provide access to NPSME's Parent/Teacher Guide, which includes a sample ballot and other important information for distribution to their local schools.
About
NABEF
The NAB Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to
serving the public interest in supporting and advocating: education and
training programs, strategies to increase diversity, initiatives stressing
the importance of the First Amendment, community service, philanthropy
and timely broadcasting issues.
About NSPME
The National Student/Parent Mock Election is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization run by a nationwide network of volunteer state and school
district coordinators including the League of Women Voters, educators,
public officials and other organizations who put hundreds of thousands
of volunteer hours into the project.
About
NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association that advocates
on behalf of more than 8,300 free, local radio and television stations
and also broadcast networks before Congress, the Federal Communications
Commission and the Courts. Information about NAB can be found at www.nab.org.
