2008 Woodie Awards
ISU to host president of Project Vote Smart today
Nick Nottoli
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News
In a nation where politicians rely heavily on issueless negative rhetoric and anger and fear to win votes, finding solid facts about political candidates is becoming increasingly difficult.
To help guide students through the democratic process, ISU will host Richard Kimble, president of Project Vote Smart, Monday at noon in the Bone Student Center's Old Main Room.
Project Vote Smart is a non-for- profit organization based in Montana that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office.
Their Web site offers voting records, public statements, interest group ratings, campaign financing information, issued positions and biographical information on all elected officials.
"We are a non-partisan voter research organization," Mike Wessler, media relations department at Project Vote Smart, said. "Our purpose is to give unbiased information on elected officials of all levels of government."
Unbiased political information is a rarity in today's society.
"Voters need a way to defend themselves from the spin that comes out of campaigns. They are bombarded with this kind of information every election cycle," Wessler said.
"Project Vote Smart is a tool that voters can access to view unbiased, factual information," Wessler added.
To stay true to their mission of providing in depth, unbiased information on political candidates, Project Vote Smart does not accept any donations from special interest groups or corporations.
They also do not take a stand on issues or pieces of legislation.
"We essentially have no opinion on issues," Wessler said. "We don't care how you vote, as long as you vote smart."
Steve Hunt, communications professor and co-chair of the American Democracy Project, encourages students to utilize Project Vote Smart and engage themselves in the democratic process.
"Everyone is affected by the powers that be, the people in office, whether it is student loans or the insurance on their car or the dress code on campus. These are all political issues that are reasons for students to get involved and try to make a difference," Hunt said.
"If we are going to make our democratic system better, we need students who are better informed and more engaged," Hunt added.
To view political candidate information, obtain an internship with Project Vote Smart or learn more about the organization, visit their Web site at vote-smart.org.
To help guide students through the democratic process, ISU will host Richard Kimble, president of Project Vote Smart, Monday at noon in the Bone Student Center's Old Main Room.
Project Vote Smart is a non-for- profit organization based in Montana that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office.
Their Web site offers voting records, public statements, interest group ratings, campaign financing information, issued positions and biographical information on all elected officials.
"We are a non-partisan voter research organization," Mike Wessler, media relations department at Project Vote Smart, said. "Our purpose is to give unbiased information on elected officials of all levels of government."
Unbiased political information is a rarity in today's society.
"Voters need a way to defend themselves from the spin that comes out of campaigns. They are bombarded with this kind of information every election cycle," Wessler said.
"Project Vote Smart is a tool that voters can access to view unbiased, factual information," Wessler added.
To stay true to their mission of providing in depth, unbiased information on political candidates, Project Vote Smart does not accept any donations from special interest groups or corporations.
They also do not take a stand on issues or pieces of legislation.
"We essentially have no opinion on issues," Wessler said. "We don't care how you vote, as long as you vote smart."
Steve Hunt, communications professor and co-chair of the American Democracy Project, encourages students to utilize Project Vote Smart and engage themselves in the democratic process.
"Everyone is affected by the powers that be, the people in office, whether it is student loans or the insurance on their car or the dress code on campus. These are all political issues that are reasons for students to get involved and try to make a difference," Hunt said.
"If we are going to make our democratic system better, we need students who are better informed and more engaged," Hunt added.
To view political candidate information, obtain an internship with Project Vote Smart or learn more about the organization, visit their Web site at vote-smart.org.
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