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Video Your Vote

Two weeks from today, the longest, most historic, and, perhaps, most critical presidential campaign in recent US history, will finally (we hope!) come to a conclusion as a record number of voters set out for the polls to cast their ballots.

As a means of spotlighting what happens on election day through the eyes of voters, YouTube and PBS have teamed up to co-sponsor Video Your Vote, a project designed to shed light on voting in America and show democracy in action in its full, imperfect majesty. The idea is to chronicle the excitement and energy at the polls, as well as any problems that may arise -- long lines or broken voting machines, for example -- that present obstacles to citizens trying to vote.

Here's Judy Woodruff of PBS's News Hour detailing the project on a recent episode.

Peter Rothberg

October 21, 2008

Two weeks from today, the longest, most historic, and, perhaps, most critical presidential campaign in recent US history, will finally (we hope!) come to a conclusion as a record number of voters set out for the polls to cast their ballots.

As a means of spotlighting what happens on election day through the eyes of voters, YouTube and PBS have teamed up to co-sponsor Video Your Vote, a project designed to shed light on voting in America and show democracy in action in its full, imperfect majesty. The idea is to chronicle the excitement and energy at the polls, as well as any problems that may arise — long lines or broken voting machines, for example — that present obstacles to citizens trying to vote.

Here’s Judy Woodruff of PBS’s News Hour detailing the project on a recent episode.

All you have to do is shoot the video and then submit your footage here. Some of the most compelling videos will be featured on PBS during its election coverage as well as highlighted on YouTube. And here’s a practical and legal primer from Harvard University’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society. This is important to watch to avoid running afoul of any number of arcane state election laws.

With alarming reports of dysfunctional voter registration, purges of the rolls, and possible voter suppression surfacing regularly, new technology offers a powerful tool for citizens to police the election process itself while this compelling old/new media partnership between YouTube and PBS offers a prominent platform for the information to be rapidly disseminated. So click here to learn how you can video your vote.

Peter RothbergTwitterPeter Rothberg is the The Nation’s associate publisher.


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