March 1 – ROCK the VOTE!

Rock the Vote campaign coming to URI

Dave Lavallee

KINGSTON, R.I.–What do Madonna, Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon and Beyonce have in common? Each used their talents to advocate for Rock the Vote, one of the largest nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations in the United States. And now the nationwide campaign to boost voting participation is coming to the University of Rhode Island.

URI public relations faculty in the Harrington School of Communication and Media will launch the URI campaign with a Rock the Vote town hall meeting March 1 at 3:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center, 73 Upper College Road, on the Kingston campus. The theme will be “Millennials, Politics, and Participation: The Role of the Millennial in the Political Landscape.”

Speakers will include Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie M. Gorbea, URI President David M. Dooley and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Winifred Brownell.

“The power to change things that we don’t like about our government, our cities, our neighborhoods, starts with our commitment to vote,” Secretary Gorbea said. “Registering to vote is an important first step toward becoming an active citizen, but I also encourage students to get involved in public service to help shape their community’s future.”

“There is probably no more fundamental act in our democracy than exercising our right to vote,” Dooley said. “When we think about the stakes in each election around national and local issues of equity, quality public education, environmental protection and national security, we realize that voting is essential to the future of our country, state and communities. I am pleased that the University is providing leadership on such an important issue.”

The College Democrats and College Republicans are also expected to participate in the meeting. An interview with URI journalism alumnus Bekah Berger– HOT 106 radio host–will air on all Rhode Island Cumulus stations Feb. 28. URI public relations students Lucio Andreozzi and Jenna Cote conducted the interview.

Since 1990, Rock the Vote has been registering millions of new voters and encouraging everyone to vote. With an emphasis on artists, musicians and cultural leaders, Rock the Vote aims to promote and encourage voting through mainstream media to show that politics aren’t boring, but have a real and lasting impact. 

This release was written by, Rachel Smith, a graduate assistant writer in the URI Marketing and Communications Department.