Mollis volunteers to scout for voters

Chris Barnett, spokesman for the secretary of state, has the details:

Volunteers from the Secretary of State’s office will spend this Sunday afternoon registering fans of four rock groups that will be performing on the Providence waterfront as part of WBRU’s Dunkin’s Donuts Summer Concert Series.

“Young people who register to vote are more likely to become active and informed citizens of this state. Some of these young people will be our leaders of tomorrow. Now is the time to engage them,” said Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis.

The Sunday's voter registration drive is part of a push by Mollis to get younger voters to the polls in 2008. The goal is to improve turnout among 18-to-24-year-olds leading up to the 2008 elections. 

According to the U.S. Census, only 57 percent of eligible 18-to-24-year-olds were registered to vote on Election Day 2004. Just 47 percent actually voted in that election.

In order to register to vote, you must be at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Rhode Island and have a valid social security number or Rhode Island driver’s license. Registering to vote is free.

This is Mollis’ first event with WBRU. He hopes to roll the WBRU partnership into his plan to visit every Rhode Island high school and college leading up to the 2008 elections. His office already has registered more than 1,000 students to vote this year.

The gates at for WBRU’s Dunkin’ Donuts Summer Concert Series open at 5 p.m. Paramore is headlining the bill, accompanied by Jack’s Mannequin, Phantom Planet and Paper Route.