Rock the Vote

For two decades, political scientists have noted with alarm the decline in voter participation by young people. Presumed to be an indifferent group, Americans between 18 and 29 years of age were thought to be beyond the reach of the mass media in encouraging their participation in the political process. However, this unique effort developed by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz (previously recognized with a Peabody Award for this innovative series “thirtysomething”), Sally Desipio, Patrick Lippert and Alan Poul, and supported by the most influential contemporary artists in music, comedy, television, and film, addressed the problem of voter apathy. As a direct result of the 800 number posted during the program, it is estimated that more than a quarter million young people registered to vote. For tackling a persistent problem and providing an effective remedy, a Peabody to Rock The Vote.