We're Back! 'Cuz the first time should be special!

Hello all you lovely VoterVirgins and those who desire to register voters!

Voter Virgin is busy re-luanching our website LIVE so you can watch what's going on. We need your help spotting broken links, things that could work better, places we are too adorably cute.

Go take our poll so we know you stopped by....

There's a new blog, new polls 2X a week, voting 101 tips, and all sorts of tools and gizmos coming to VoterVirgin for '08. You can register to vote, be commemorated in the VoterVirgin Class of '08, Spread the Love, and be empowered through Voting 101.

Mark your calenders !

VoterVirgin's 2nd National Love Your Vote Day on February 14th, 2008

If you want to inspire someone to vote, we promise to do our best in '08.

Democracy!

Whatever the outcome, one thing we learned in 2004, is that our elections don't always run smoothly. New machines, paperless technology, haters who spread misinformation to voters, all these contibute to undermining voter confidence.

Lucky for us, there are a lot of people working to protect your vote. Four months after our historic election, these leaders need our support.

If the idea of fair elections is important to you, check this out:


On February 9, 2005 Senator John Ensign(R-NV) introduced S330, the "Voting Integrity and Verification Act" (VIVA), requiring a voter-verified paper ballot


Common Cause is a great resource for e-mailing your support of this bill.

Electionline.org is the nation’s only non-partisan, non-advocacy website providing up-to-the-minute news and analysis on election reform.

Indyvoter.org has published the 2005 mayoral election schedule and you can see if your congressperson SUX (or not). Here at VoterVirgin we secretly love and adore the League for all the kickass work they do to keep voters informed.

Want to impact your state level? Here's a rockin' database to search for info.

If we are to keep our democracy, there must be one commandment: "Thou shalt not ration justice."
Sophocles

Want to suggest an election reform resource? Send us a comment!

Props To The Iraqi VoterVirgins

We're busy searching for funding and fighting off the flu, but we want to send a big VoterVirgin shout out to the Iraqi voters all around the world who will be casting their precious ballots today.

A lot of suffering has stood in the way of this election. Countless numbers of people have lost their lives preparing for this day. Voters face threats from all sorts of people. In fact, nearly half of Iraq will not be able to vote because the region is still too unstable.

VoterVirgin applauds your bravery and hopes that soon you will live in a peaceful democracy led by those you have chosen of your own free will.

We believe that everyone who can vote, should. We hope you do too.

Peace.

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there." Jalal ad-Din Rumi

Electoral History Made Today

The 2004 Vote Debate

Gazillions of Americans voted in 2004(well, almost), but did their votes get counted?

Today, history will be made when 19 Democrats in the US House and at least one Senator (Barbara Boxer) stand up in Congress to contest the 2004 Ohio electoral vote.(video available on C-Span)

It's getting ugly on Capitol Hill.

Republicans are dismissing the protest and calling the Dems sore losers. They say the allegations are based on internet conspiracy theories. But why is there not a call to protect the integrity of our elections? Does "tough on crime" include election crime?

Democrats have documented widespread irregular vote tallies, voter intimidation, unauthorized access to voting machines by technicians, and other possible crimes. They are asking for a full Congressional investigation. You can be sure the Dems will have a tough time convincing the Republican majority to agree.

Under the US Constitution (12th Amendment, they will be allowed to meet for 2 hours and each member will have 5 minutes to speak (and can only speak once).

Was there an organized effort to intimidate voters? Will we ever know? Should we just learn to live with possible fraud?

What do you think?

Doin' It In 2005

Here at VoterVirgin, we've been resting after a hectic year of inspiring voters.

2004 was a great year! We registered more than 100,000 new voters nationwide and they turned out in droves at the polls. We could not be prouder of the VoterVirgin Class of '04! We will always remember you as our first.....

2005 is going to be exciting in many ways.

We look forward to embracing new voters (especially those who were not quite old enough to vote in 2004, poor darlins)and focusing the super powers of VoterVirgins on lo-cal elections.

With county commissioners and city councils up for re-election across the US, we believe VoterVirgins could have a huge impact at the grassroots. Nothing effects our world like lo-cal politics.

VoterVirgin is also expanding to embrace new voters all over the world and will be working with groups wherever they may be to get people to the polls.

Participation is a beautiful thing. We thank you for being part of VoterVirgin and look forward to seeing you in 2005.

Voting Is Beautiful,
The VoterVirgin Blog Team

A Call To Protect The Vote

This is not about wanting to change the election results, this is about setting an example of integrity and moral values for the whole world.

If America is to lead the world towards a free and democratic future, we must be exemplary role models and uphold the moral integrity of our elections. A shadow has been cast upon the 2004 vote. There are serious allegations of voter fraud and irregularities. There are VoterVirgins who want to know if their vote will be counted. These allegations are not limited to Ohio and Florida, they are surfacing across the nation from several political parties and independent sources.We believe that every single vote is precious and ask you to help us uphold this principle with your voice.

In order to restore voter confidence and to lift this shadow from our democratic process we ask you to call upon your elected officals and insist on a complete investigation of the 2004 election discrepencies.

First of all, if you were forced to cast a provisional ballot, had difficulty voting, or witnessed any irregularities at the polls, we encourage you to report your experience ASAP (no matter what state you voted in). Please call the ACLU 1-877-523-2792 and share your experience.

Counting every vote is not a partisan issue. And while some would have you believe that one party is a bunch of losing whiners for bringing this up, if we are to preserve our democracy we must all insist on a full investigation. I mean, come on, how would you feel if you found out your vote had been spoiled or disqualified or disappeared? How are you going to feel if these accusations linger and remain unresolved? Getting to the bottom of this benefits people of all political persuasions.

There are many people and organizations calling for an investigation already. Depending on your personal political persuasion, you can join the call for investigation of this election through a number of activist groups or do it independently (see resources below).

There are multiple news sources and message boards where you can stay up to date on the Fight to Count America's Votes. For a multitude of lame reasons, there is not widespread coverage of this issue. It would be funny how out of touch the media is with America's concerns if this was not such an important issue. It is up to us, the people, to keep this story alive until these issues are resolved. So, stay informed and spread the word (see resources below).

Contact Your Elected Officials:
We recommend you speak from the heart and simply ask for a full investigation by the GAO and the FBI into all voting irregularities.

Find your official here: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

Organizations Calling on Congress For a Full Investigation:

BlackboxVoting(the techie experts)
CommonCause
DTMagazine.com (petition)
Green /Libertarian
League Off Pissed Off Voters (and friends)
MoveOn.org
People For The American Way
Ralph Nader

Follow The Story:

http://www.democrats.com/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/
http://www.yesmagazine.org/cmblog/

Engage Yourself In A Long Term Commitment To Election Reform:
Straightening up our election systems is a long term job and possibly the most important cause we can take up for America. Ready to dive in?

Election Reform Information Network
The League Of Women Voters
VoteWatch

Post Doin' It Wrap Up (Part 1)

We commend the VoterVirgin Class of '04 for exemplary participation and send a special shout out to everyone that worked so hard to get out the vote in 2004!!!

It looks like everybody really did get out and do it in '04 (20.9 million 18-25 yo votes!). We are very proud of both the youth voter and overall first time voter turnout. There was a lot of hot, passionate voter activity on the ground. So now,our first priority here at VoterVirgin is to check in and see how you are doin' after your first time. (we thought some of you might need a hug)

This has been a particularly emotional and difficult election. Maybe you are celebrating, but at least half of you have had your first political heartbreak and now know the emotional responsibility that comes with being vote-active. The combined emotional experience of being empowered to act and suffering a loss can be a real rollercoaster. You are likely to be experiencing a wide (and possibly deep)range of emotions. It is important to ask questions, express yourself (in healthy ways), and have the support of people who understand your passion. We hope most of all that you can find a way to turn your experience into a proactive commitment to democracy.

A few resources if you have been hurt by your first experience.

There is some good commiserating to be found if you need an electoral hug. Bolt (no nuts) is speaking up.

Need to feed your anger?

Satisfy your scepticism? All conspiracies begin as theories. Was the election stolen?

Pro-active healing? Discover inspiration to keep on making a difference.

Give us a shout out and let us know how it went for you. Questions? We'll try to find answers for you. Empowered? Impressed? Deflated? We've heard it all, so feel free......