Project Vote Smart brings election information to local students
Many high school seniors will cast their votes for the first time this November
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com

BALLOT BOX- A mobile voter information trailer visits Calabasas High School recently. It is part of Project Vote Smart, a non-partisan program that aims to prepare voters for the upcoming election. The bus visited the high school to brief students on the candidates and issues they will help to decide as first-time voters.

The bus that pulled into Calabasas High School's parking lot last week didn't hold a visiting sports team or outofdistrict students. Instead, the motor coach- painted in bright red, white and blue- served as a mobile voter information unit, helping high school seniors gear up for the first election in which they'll be allowed to cast a vote.

Project Vote Smart, an independent organization committed to providing nonpartisan information about candidates running for office, takes the bus all over the country to help students, seniors and other community members obtain the information they need to cast their votes.

During the local stop about 250 Calabasas High seniors went through a roughly 45minute presentation and questionandanswer session. Most of the students were from government and economics classes.

The bus is equipped with 22 airplane-like seats which face a large projector screen and a desk full of laptops. Two representatives, who stay in the bus' living quarters for six-week shifts, took the group through an informational video and computer tutorial.

Tony Boehm of Project Vote Smart demonstrated how the students can find candidate's voting records, public statements or campaign finances on the Project Vote Smart web site.

Students searched "Obama" and immediately the junior senator and presidential candidate's profile popped up.

"We let them use our laptops, which all have wireless Internet, to check out our website," Boehm said. "We show them how to find the information they are interested in."

The students also saw a video detailing the lives of a group of interns and volunteers who painstakingly log candidate statements, biographical information and interest group ratings at a ranch in Montana, the home of Project Vote Smart. The facts are checked and re-checked to assure that Internet surfers are getting 100 percent accurate information.

"Democracy is supposed to be based on the supply of information that should be available at any time to voters," said Elizabeth Rigby, a Project Vote Smart worker featured in the video.

Project Vote Smart, which began in 1992, does not accept financial assistance from any organization or special interest group that supports any candidate or issue. The Project is funded solely by American citizens.

No one can serve on the project's board without a political opposite. Past and present members include former Presidents Carter and Ford, former Senators George McGovern and Barry Goldwater, former Governor Michael Dukakis, and Senator John McCain, the leading Republican candidate for president.

"We do this to bring credibility to democracy," Boehm said. "We want people to be informed, not just vote for someone because they're endorsed by Chuck Norris. We won't pander to emotions."

Gavin Heller and Arielle Bierman both said they appreciated the presentation. The two seniors, currently 17, will be old enough to vote in November election.

"I thought it was really good," Heller said. "I would have liked to see some more things about the candidates."

But with limited time, the people behind Project Vote Smart hope the voters will log back on the website and get the information they are interested in.

The bus travels to high schools and colleges, senior living facilities and community groups who request a visit.

For more information, visit www.vote-smart.org or call (888) VOTE-SMART.