Young Voters Use Online Video Platform to Voice Concerns About Iraq and National Security

As young voters turned out in record numbers this year, Campus Progress Action launched I’m Voting For, an online video testimonial project that gives young people a platform to talk about how their personal experiences and passion for the issues are driving them to the polls. Since the launch of the campaign in April, the war in Iraq has consistently ranked as one of the top issues young voters care about in this election, with many citing a need for immediate government action.

WASHINGTON – As young voters turned out in record numbers this year, Campus Progress Action launched I’m Voting For, an online video testimonial project that gives young people a platform to talk about how their personal experiences and passion for the issues are driving them to the polls. Since the launch of the campaign in April, the war in Iraq has consistently ranked as one of the top issues young voters care about in this election, with many citing a need for immediate government action.

“Young people aren’t turning out to vote just because of a particular candidate – they are reacting to important issues like healthcare, climate change, and economic opportunity,” said Tanya Paperny, Advocacy Associate for Campus Progress Action. She added, “I’m Voting For is open to all viewpoints, but we are finding, as polls also indicate, that young people have a strongly progressive orientation, especially in regard to issues like the war in Iraq and national security.”

In the past five months, Campus Progress Action has filmed hundreds of testimonials for the I’m Voting For project by speaking with young people at events, music festivals, on campuses, and in communities. Many more young people have recorded and uploaded testimonials themselves online.

Here are a few of the best I’m Voting For videos about the war in Iraq. Click on the links below to view what these young people have to say:

· Noam explains his personal reasons for ending the war in Iraq

· Alex, an Iraq war veteran, talks about the importance of benefits for the troops

· Chelsea expresses her desire for more compassionate foreign policy

To see all the compelling videos of young people making Iraq and national security their number one issue this election season, click here. This page is updated weekly with new videos from young people across the country.

In order to hold politicians accountable, this week Campus Progress Action sent a letter to each of the presidential candidates. They were asked to view the videos on the I’m Voting For site, and to film their own response reaffirming their commitment to focusing on the issues that young people care about, both in the run up to Election Day and beyond. The candidates were also alerted to the attention that I’m Voting For has received in the media, specifically this report on the Fox News Channel.

Campus Progress Action will be on the ground at the first presidential debate at the University of Mississippi, filming I’m Voting For testimonials during Issue Alley, the campus’ official pre-debate event. Campus Progress Action will also be sponsoring a post-debate I’m Voting For discussion with young people at Hofstra University on October 15.

To discuss the I’m Voting For campaign, or to connect with the young people who created these videos, please contact Katie Andriulli at 202.481.8238 or kandriulli@americanprogressaction.org.

Campus Progress Action, part of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, works to help young people -- advocates, activists, journalists, artists -- make their voices heard on issues that matter. Through grassroots issue campaigns, public events, multimedia projects, and the Pushback.org blog, Campus Progress Action acts to empower new progressive leaders nationwide as they develop fresh ideas, communicate in new ways, push policy outcomes in a progressive direction, and build a strong progressive movement.