DNC unveils toll free number and radio ad for NO voters

[ProSense]

DNC Unveils Toll Free Number and Radio Ad Campaign to Help Displaced New Orleanians Vote

11 minutes ago
To: National and State Desks

Contact: Karen Finney of Democratic National Committee, 202-863- 8184

WASHINGTON, March 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an effort to help displaced New Orleanians exercise their right to vote, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Voting Rights Institute Chair Donna Brazile today announced a Get-Out- The-Vote plan for the municipal elections on Saturday, April 22.

After Hurricane Katrina, tens of thousands of New Orleans residents were displaced from their homes and they now live elsewhere in Louisiana and neighboring states. Due to the hurricane, more than 100 polling places were destroyed and consolidated into a smaller number of precincts. These problems could potentially prevent New Orleans residents the opportunity to vote in an election that will determine the future of their city.

The plan features a new toll free number, 1-888-DEM-VOTE or 1- 888-336-8683, which provides New Orleanians now living in Louisiana and neighboring states critical information about: 1) the process to request an absentee ballot application, 2) new polling locations in New Orleans, and 3) early voting satellite locations elsewhere in Louisiana.

To publicize the new toll free number, the DNC will start running advertisements and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) next week on African-American radio stations in Houston, Atlanta, and Baton Rouge. These ads, which will air during the next few weeks prior to the election, were recorded by New Orleans native Donna Brazile.

"The right to vote is one of the most fundamental and precious rights in any Democracy. This new toll free number will help all New Orleans voters cast their ballot and have their vote counted," said DNC Chairman Dean. "Democrats believe every effort must be made to provide all the necessary information about the elections to all Orleans Parish voters, whether they are currently in or out of the state."

DNC Voting Rights Institute Chair Brazile commended the work of the civil rights community, and many non-profit groups in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina exercise their right to vote.

"These upcoming municipal elections are part of the rebuilding process and a key step in restoring these communities," said DNC Voting Rights Institute Chair Brazile. "We applaud the outstanding work of the civil rights community, the Congressional Black Caucus, fraternities, sororities, churches and our allies in labor who have been working endlessly for months to ensure that all displaced voters have the right to vote."

Below is text of the radio ads and links to listen to audio of the ads:

Text of Radio Ad No. 1: Absentee Ballot

For audio of this ad, please insert the following link in your browser: http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/audio/20060330_db_absentee.mp3

You may have lost your home. You may have even lost a loved one. But you have not lost your right to vote.

Hi, this is Donna Brazile.

If you are a displaced resident from New Orleans and were registered to vote before Hurricane Katrina, you have the right to vote in the April 22nd elections.

If you have not received an application for an absentee ballot please call our toll free number 1-888-D-E-M-VOTE to have one mailed to your current address.

In order to vote you must mail your application request before Tuesday April 18th. Again the number is 1-888-DEM-VOTE or 1-888- 336-8683. Don't give up your right to vote.

Paid for by the Democratic National Committee, www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. The DNC is responsible for the content of this advertising.

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Text of Radio Ad No. 2: Poll Locator

For audio of this ad, please insert the following link in your browser: http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/audio/20060330_db_polllocation.mp3

You may have lost your home. You may have even lost a loved one. But you have not lost your right to vote.

Hi, this is Donna Brazile.

If you are a displaced resident from New Orleans and were registered to vote before Hurricane Katrina, you have the right to vote in the April 22nd elections.

If you plan to return to New Orleans on Saturday April 22nd, you can find your poll location by calling this toll free number, 1-888-DEM-VOTE.

It's time to return home and let your voice be heard. Please call 1-888-336-8683. That's 1-888-336-8683. Don't give up your right to vote.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060330/pl_usnw/dnc_unveils_toll_free_number_and_radio_ad_campaign_to_help_displaced_new_orleanians_vote164_xml

[MadMaddie]

1. This is a great Move....