ROCK THE VOTE LAUNCHES CORPORATE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

Rock the Vote, the largest non-profit and non-partisan organization in the United States building the political power of young people, is proud to announce the launch of its new program, Corporate Civic Responsibility.

Rock the Vote’s Corporate Civic Responsibility program will provide companies with the tools they need to place essential election information that young people need at their fingertips – from how to register, what to bring, where to go – wherever they happen to be on the Internet. Even more than just reaching young voters, our Corporate Civic Responsibility partners also take an active role in encouraging civic participation among their employees, educating them about upcoming elections and providing them with the tools and information they need to register to vote and cast their ballot.

“When we vote, we are deciding so much about our future. Casting a ballot is powerful. And yet, too few of my Millennial peers choose to exercise that power. This should worry you – because low civic participation among the Millennial generation is the greatest challenge to democracy in our time,” said Jen Tolentino, Rock the Vote Civic Technology Program Manager. “Rock the Vote is committed to meeting young people where they are in order to get them engaged in the political process – and today, that’s online. We need to be promoting civic participation at every turn – making sure the message and the tools are right at their fingertips.”

This nonpartisan initiative has widespread support and is being co-chaired by two of the country’s leading election officials from both sides of the aisle: California Secretary of State Alex Padilla (D) and the Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman (R). Sec. Padilla is passionate about promoting Rock the Vote’s initiative because, “Our democracy is stronger when more eligible citizens participate in elections,” he said. “In 2016, the business community can help strengthen our democracy by joining Rock the Vote’s Corporate Civic Responsibility program. This program provides a unique opportunity for companies to help encourage voters to register, turnout and help shape our future.”

The most exciting part of the Corporate Civic Responsibility program is that it provides an avenue for more eligible voters to participate in the political process. As Sec. Wyman added, “This great project encourages public-minded companies to take an active role in civic engagement and voting. It magnifies the reach of our state voter information and outreach.”

Some corporations are already committed to CCR, among them bebe. “Everyone has a voice. It’s important to express that voice and participate in determining the future of our nation. We want to actively encourage the next generation of female voters to recognize the power one vote can hold and the difference it can make,” said Jim Wigget, Chief Executive Officer of bebe stores, Inc.

Rock the Vote is thrilled to have Sec. Padilla and Sec. Wyman co-chairing this initiative and to announce the first ten major Corporate Civic Responsibility partners:

  • Bad Robot Productions
  • bebe
  • Brigade
  • iHeart Media
  • Microsoft
  • Nielsen
  • Tinder
  • TOMS
  • Twitter
  • USA Today Network

Rock the Vote is grateful to the above organizations for their strong commitment to promoting civic engagement among young people and commends their willingness to set an example for even more companies to follow.


About Rock the Vote

Rock the Vote is the largest nonpartisan, nonprofit 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 history. To get Rock the Vote updates on upcoming events, election reminders and candidate, visit RocktheVote.com. Engage on social media, by following Rock the Vote on Facebook and on Twitter at @rockthevote.