Rock the Vote rally, concert calls youth to polls

Funkmaster Flex rocked the turntables with old school, hip-hop and R&B sounds yesterday for a Rock the Vote rally outside the Wachovia Center.

"Everybody here has a word and a say on their future," Flex told the crowd before his set.

Rock the Vote brought its grass-roots effort to Drexel University and then to a concert to get the word to young people about voting in the Nov. 4 presidential election. The voter effort involves canvassing and working with volunteers to encourage youths across America to register and vote.

Flex performed before a few fans at the Power 99 FM Block Party held before the Powerhouse concert, which later featured T.I., Keyshia Cole and Ne-yo.

It was T.I.'s appearance that brought out Tamara Vaughan, a young South Jersey fan. "This program helps to encourage me to vote," she said.

The voter effort began 20 years ago as a collection of public-service announcements from recording artists that have included Queen Latifah, En Vogue, R.E.M. and Aerosmith. It is now a major political organizer with a voice as popular as those of the artists tapped for messages. For this election alone, Rock the Vote says, it has registered 2.5 million people, up from 1.4 million voters registered for the 2004 presidential election.

In 1996, Rock the Vote started its first program to register voters by phone.

Rock the Vote officials said that in past elections, students were given inaccurate information, so the group teamed with the nonpartisan Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to create the Election Protection Program. This new initiative offers an online election center with a poll locator at www.rockthevote.com.

The iconic tour bus pulled into Drexel University about lunchtime for the GOTV Rally/Pledge to Vote Drive at 33d and Market Streets.

"Places like Drexel and Virginia Tech have had students who were given false information about voting," said Chrissy Faessen, deputy director for Rock the Vote. "We've got people in the field now to make sure that no one gets turned away on Election Day."