Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2006

Contact: Dannie Tillman, Director of Communications and Coalitions, Equality California
Phone: (323) 217-8875 E-mail: media@eqca.org

Equality California Institute Encourages Members to "Vote Naked"

Unique Mailing Asks LGBT Community to Register as Permanent Absentee Voters
San Francisco-In an effort to encourage lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians to register as permanent absentee voters, the Equality California Institute (EQCAI) is sending absentee voter applications to 25,000 of its members with the message "Vote Naked."

"Studies show that people who are registered as permanent absentee voters are more likely to cast their ballot in every election," said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California Institute. "This project is designed to encourage LGBT Californians to participate in the political process. Sometimes work, family or health issues prevent people who intend to vote from being able to vote on Election Day. By becoming a permanent absentee voter, they can receive their ballots at home and vote by dropping them in the mail."

The compelling mailer features a person's bare legs on the front cover with the headline "Vote Naked." Inside, instructions walk readers through the application to register as an absentee voter. "Vote in the intimacy of your own home," it reads. "Never stand in line to vote again. Become a permanent absentee voter and automatically receive your ballot for every election."

"We wanted to produce something that would catch people's attention," said Kors. "This is a pilot program, and we will assess its effectiveness as we further develop the program on a larger scale."

Recipients are instructed to complete the postcard applications and send them back to EQCAI. Institute staff will then compile the information, such as the number of postcards received from various counties, and send the applications to the appropriate county election office.

The Vote Naked project is funded through a generous grant from the Horizons Foundation. To see the mailer, go to www.eqca.org. To register as a permanent absentee voter, visit the California Secretary of State's website at www.ss.ca.gov.
The Equality California Institute's mission is to ensure and promote dignity, safety and equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians.

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