Mission:
To mobilize young people to create positive social and political change in their lives and communities and to encourage them to take advantage of their right to vote.

Background:
Rock the Vote was founded in 1990 in response to a wave of attacks on freedom of speech and artistic expression. It engages youth in the political process by incorporating youth culture and the entertainment community -- from actors to musicians, comedians to athletes -- into its activities to make political participation appealing to youth. Its media campaigns and street team activities serve to increase youth voter turnout. Rock the Vote coordinates voter registration drives, get-out-the-vote events, and voter education efforts. When the polls close, it continues to empower young people to create change in their communities and take action on the issues they care about, by signing petitions, running for office, contacting their elected officials, or taking up signs in protest.

Outstanding Features:
Rock the Vote's Web site provides a state-by-state (plus Washington, D.C.) list of the Web site and telephone number for voter registration in each state; the state Web sites contain information about voting eligibility and have downloadable voter registration forms (in some states, you can register online). The Rock the Vote site also offers a state-by-state list of voter registration deadlines with information about absentee voting.