Contact:
Nithin Coca, 913-940-1571
Glen Besa, 804-387-6001
Sierra Club Engages Youth in Deeds/McDonnell and other Virginia Races
New Website Provides Youth with Information to Empower and Educate
Washington, DC: Sierra Club today launched an unprecedented youth outreach campaign geared at engaging young voters in Virginia on the issues that matter most to them. With a focus on the statewide races for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General, the campaign will also include information about Assembly races across the state.
The “Keep Change Alive” Campaign feature a new voter education website—http://www.keepchangealiveva.com, online advertising and grassroots organizing efforts with the goal of ensuring that young people’s voices are heard this fall in Virginia.
“Historically, turnout is extremely low in an odd-year election, particularly among young people, but last year saw an unprecedented level of participation in the election process,” said Cathy Duvall, Sierra Club’s Political Director. “People across Virginia, and especially young people, often cite lack of information as a reason for not voting. Our goal is to engage, motivate and turn out those young voters to keep change alive and follow-through on the momentum of 2008 into 2009 and beyond.”
The Sierra Club is leveraging its extensive grassroots power in numerous races, including the Governor’s race and state Delegate races, by mobilizing members and supporters to work directly with endorsed candidates, providing boots on the ground and fingers to dial thousands of voters in these critical races.
"Historically, many of the delegate races have been decided by less than 200 votes, “said Glen Besa, Director of Sierra Club’s Virginia Chapter. “Our ability to mobilize our members and communicate with thousands of voters in each district can help put candidates over the top on Election Day.”
As part of the campaign, Sierra Club also launched a voter education website aimed at providing young voters with a trusted source of information on environmental issues, including contrasting the positions of the candidates running for statewide and local offices. There is also a blog which will highlight environmental news and various grassroots actions from across Virginia. Aiding this will be a widespread online advertising campaign aimed at educating voters about the choices this November.
“From cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay, to transportation, to our clean energy future, there are clear differences between candidates on issues that matter to Virginians,” said Besa.
For more information, visit http://keepchangealiveva.com/
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