Florida organization uses bar scene to engage young voters

[babylonsister]

Florida organization uses bar scene to engage young voters
By Daniel Chang | Miami Herald


The Hollywood, Fla., nightclub is dark and the music so loud that conversation means leaning into an ear and shouting. But the drinks are free until midnight, and anyway most in the upstairs room of Passion nightclub are dancing, not talking.

Still, Chris Chiari, a Democratic candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, mingles in the crowd, drink in hand, campaigning.

He shouts, by way of conversation: "This is real political action.''

This, to be exact, is Party Politics Inc. — the latest, but not the first or only effort to engage 20-somethings in politics by appealing to their inner party animal.

The idea is simple: host parties with a two-hour open bar about once a month at South Florida nightclubs. Post fliers at local colleges and send messages to friends on Facebook and MySpace.

The target audience: Generation Y, or Echo Boomers, or Millenials. Really, anyone born between 1980 and 1994.

Sometimes, partygoers are asked to register to vote, or to fill out an absentee ballot request form. But mostly they're left alone to mingle with each other or with elected officials and candidates working the room for votes and campaign volunteers.

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http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/story/45744.html

[whistle]

1. Hauling drunks to the polls to vote

[Donnachaidh]

2. oh just what we need

drunken voters. :eyes:

[TornadoTN]

3. I think this is a good approach, contrary to the negative conotations

Some of the most uninhibited and revealing political conversations I have had have been at bars or nightclubs. People tend to open up when relaxed or with a little help from alcohol. I've personally met several people at bars or night spots in the past year and ended up getting a long conversation started about the elections and candidates, several of which still e-mail to this day to discuss issues. Two of them were former Republicans - both of which are now voting for Obama.

Plus, it's where young people tend to congregate to kick back and blow off a little steam with friends. It's about time we put some substance behind the "I could have a beer with that guy" approach.

[Kutjara]

4. "Hey baby, wanna see my polling station?" n/t