And he called you out as well. We have been duly charged with a responsibility to protect the voting rights of college students.
Yesterday, Meteor Blades posted an important diary, Students: Watch Out for Lying Registrars. If you missed it on the rec list, please read the full diary. We have already witnessed an incredible "surge" (sorry, best description I could muster) of registration of young voters. These folks did make an impact in the primaries.
As we all know, the Republicans best shot this year is to supress the vote through burdensome voting requirements, caging and out and out fraud.
As Meteor Blades indicated, supression of student turnout begins, in several places, with the Registrar of Voters. Out of state students are a prime target. While Senator Obama has the responsibility to get his message out to the nation, we have the duty to assure that everyone who wants to vote can.
Information and a bit of effort can arm students with the right tools to know and demand their right to register. A simple flyer, which can be posted in student lounges across the country (especially in vulnerable states) may be helpful. I am fortunate to be in a relatively progressive State, but that doesn't mean local registrars are enlightened.
Here's a draft template for a flyer, and all ridicule, advice, editing is welcome. I suck at formatting in diaries, thus centering stuff will be done on my Word document. Thanks.
COLLEGE STUDENTS
"FECKLESS," "UNTESTED," "IRRESPONSIBLE"
PROVE THE PUNDITS WRONG
REGISTER TO VOTE
DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Tuesday October 21, 2008 (This is the Connecticut deadline, use icebergslim's brilliant diary, The Motherlode of All Registration Diaries for your State deadline)
VOTING INFORMATION: Office of the Secretary of State at www.ct.gov/sots or 1 (800) 540-3764 (The CT SoS voting information page is excellent. Hope the same is true for other states).
ELECTION DATE: Tuesday, November 4, 2008
REGISTRATION AND VOTING ONLINE TOOL: Vote for Change www.voteforchange.com
OUT OF STATE STUDENTS
Do not be dissuaded. You have a legal right to register in Connecticut.[insert your state]
Neither you nor your parents can be penalized in any way if you register in Connecticut [insert your state]
Demand your right to register and report any abuses to the Office of the Secretary of State. www.ct.gov/sots or 1 (800) 540-3764.
REGISTER -- VOTE
I provided linky thingies because the format can be sent out through an email list. I'm better at writing Medieval poetry than flyers, so all suggestions welcome.
Update: Please check Magnifico's excellent modification.