(NNPA) – The Tom Joyner Morning Show and the NAACP National Voter Fund have partnered to launch 1-866-MYVOTE1 as part of a year-long voter registration, education and empowerment campaign.
”This is truly one of the most exciting and important presidential election years we’ve ever had,” said Joyner, the nationally syndicated radio personality whose radio show is aired in 115 markets reaching nearly eight million listeners. ”This partnership with the NAACP National Voter Fund is our way to make sure we register as many voters as possible, and give our community the tools to become active players in this year’s election.”
Julian Bond, chairman of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization, said that ”the stakes in this year’s elections are extremely high and for the first time in US History the African-American vote will be decisive in both the Primary and General Elections.”
Bond added, ”The NAACP and NAACP National Voter Fund’s Partnership with the Tom Joyner Morning Show could not come at a better time. The Tom Joyner Morning Show’s national promotion will play a major role in our efforts to register and empower hundreds of thousands of African Americans and especially young voters throughout the United States.”
The toll-free number can be used by callers around the country and will operate through the November 2008 election. After callers dial the 866-MYVOTE1 (866-698-6831), they can enter their zip code and select from one of several options:
1) Request a voter registration application, which they can sign and return to their local county elections board;
2) Find the closest polling place to their home;
3) Record up to a: 60 second complaint if they have encountered any problems, or
4) Transfer to a person at their local county elections office.
Throughout the primary season and Election Day, Joyner and the NAACP will be encouraging tens of thousands to register to vote and be able to monitor any problems voters might have at their polling places.
The voter hotline is a part of Joyner’s and the NAACP broader initiatives to educate and inform residents to get involved in what is one of the most racially diverse presidential campaigns ever. Joyner’s BlackAmericWeb.com (http://blackamericaweb.com ) will feature a special ‘Moving America’ section that will exclusively be devoted to covering the presidential race as well as other critical issues affecting African-Americans.
”Since the start of this new partnership in late November, 2007, over 10,000 listeners have already responded,”according to Greg Moore, executive director of the NAACP National Voter Fund. ”Our overall goal is to register 100,000 new voters who will play a decisive role in the 2008 primary and general elections.”
REACH Media Inc., founded by radio and television personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Joyner, is a multimedia company formed in January 2003. As the parent company of The Tom Joyner Morning Show, The Tom Joyner Show in television syndication, BlackAmericaWeb.com, The Tom Joyner Foundation and Tom Joyner signature events, REACH Media targets African Americans through radio, television, signature events and the internet.
The Tom Joyner Morning Show is aired in more than 115 markets throughout the United States, reaching more than 8 million listeners every week. BlackAmericaWeb.com, which has more than 1.3 million registered members, is a virtual town square for visitors to get daily news, learn about issues affecting the Black community and listen to the Morning Show online.
The NAACP National Voter Fund (NVF) was established by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) as a free-standing 501C (4) corporation in June 2000 to engage in civic participation and community-based mobilization efforts through education and awareness campaigns surrounding key issues in communities of color. NVF’s expertise lies in increasing voter turnout in the African-American communities through non-partisan voter registration, voter education, and get-out-the vote efforts. Their Web site is www.naacpnvf.net.
