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"Play For Real" voter-registration drive kicks off

Entertainment Software Association and Video Game Voters Network try to mobilize the gaming masses.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is fighting game-regulation legislation across the country, and it wants help from gamers. Today the ESA announced that its "grassroots" project, the Video Game Voters Network (VGVN), has launched the first voter-registration drive targeted specifically at gamers of voting age.

The campaign, titled "Play For Real: Gamer Voter Drive," seeks to get gamers to register to vote using the VGVN's Web site.

"If you don't register to vote, you leave yourself powerless to hold politicians accountable for their actions, and you send a message that anything they do is ok with you," the VGVN says in the "Why Vote?" section of its site. "Voting is the most important and effective way to make your voice heard."

ESA president Douglas Lowenstein said in a statement that the drive is intended to give adults who grew up with games a voice on all issues, including the ones gamers care about most. However, once registered, he stressed that gamers still need to get out and vote if they want their voices to matter.

"Tens of thousands of voting-aged gamers have joined the Video Game Voters grassroots political network since it was created last March," Lowenstein said. "Unfortunately, when it comes to voting, polls show that less than half of 18-to-29-year-olds turned out at the polls in the 2004 election, compared to 68 percent of those over 35 years old who cast their ballot."

The 2006 US midterm elections will be held on November 7.

51 Comments

  • _Sam_

    Posted Sep 14, 2006 4:43 pm GMT

    this was a good idea IMO

  • frblaze

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 8:41 pm GMT

    In essence it's a good idea but it's really futile. Like veracity024 said
    who are we supposed to vote for? These days when you vote for a representative of your area and If(I really mean IF) they ever say "I'll fight Video Gaming regulation" they always mean the opposite. They'll convince parents that gaming bills are good in order to pick up votes for politicians to keep getting re-elected. Then they'll waste $$$ on frivilous bills that cost us our taxpayer's money, and when it fails, they try again. I'm still going to vote and do research on the person I want to be elected when I turn 18 next year.

  • comthitnuong

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 2:13 pm GMT

    im probably not going ot vote

  • gamer_10001

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 2:05 pm GMT

    But I'm only 15

  • Mechakucha

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 10:46 am GMT

    ****ing A, THX5334, ****ing A.

    If only more people thought like you.

  • capthunt

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 10:10 am GMT

    I dont vote cuz no mater who you vote for these days its always a lose lose situation. Its either republican or democratic, both of which are complete idiots. They all have their own ego, ideas, and attack things that are a big issue to get more votes.

  • JediAutobot

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 8:17 am GMT

    I have been registered to vote since I was 18. (I'm now 32) and I always vote in the primaries and general elections.
    If everyone that said, I'm only one person, my one vote doesn't matter voted, we would have a landslide on the side of pro-gaming legislation.

  • Thanos_of_MW

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 8:00 am GMT

    Registering now

  • cesarotromundo

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 5:52 am GMT

    wait till' next year... when im actually 18

  • Da1ShrpSh0trGrl

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 4:32 am GMT

    I just registered, I just hope other gamers do the same.

  • dn3datomiced

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 2:00 am GMT

    Well, all of this would be much easier if there were a "I'm not going to take it anymore" punch, but it's really not that simple. Yes, we should all vote, but we're never going to agree on who is going to set things right.

    And really, if you're of the voting age, then most gaming politics don't really apply anymore. As much as I loved my Mortal Kombat as a kid, I wouldn't want mine to have something they're not ready for yet. That should be my choice, however.

    It's a big friggin' paradox, one way or the other...but GET OUT AND VOTE! BOTTOM LINE! I'm done.

  • veracity024

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 12:13 am GMT

    who r we supposed to vote for

  • metdevthegamer

    Posted Sep 13, 2006 12:06 am GMT

    Sounds awesome.

  • braceamnell

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 11:40 pm GMT

    I just wanted to leave you guys with this letter I wrote to one of my best friends who is a registered democrat. He was for the rally againt Bully and some other important events. This guy is cool because he believes what he believes and likes to argue with me. He read this letter I'm going to cut and paste, and he signed up with the network. We're both 21 and registered voters. I completely agree with everything THX5334 said as well. Let me know what you guys think.

    Yes Dom I wrote this. Please read it. It's written directly to you.

    I found an article on Gamespot about a new voters network that's just been formed by the ESA. They're the ones that are fighting all the video game regulations in the courts right now and winning.

    One of the most active bills that they're fighting right now is the sale of violent video games to minors. While I'm for the guy at the counter carding the kid when he's buying the game, I don't think there needs to be a federal law that enables a commission to fine business.

    Here's why:

    Back when we were just getting into high school there was a huge battle that was going on to censor music. What the government wanted was to put a ban on all explicit music that would be heard over radio and distributed in the stores, because they felt that it was leading to an increase in violence across the country. They felt that of they could censor the music the kids would stop raising hell. The legislation was eventually overturned because it violated the First Amendment, the right to free speech. What ended up happening was the addition of the "explicit content/lyrics" sticker. That's where the battle died. It's now up to the retailers if they want to sell these products to minors.

    Currently, many retailers in the US self-regulate themselves on the sale of video games to minors, carding at the registers (I know, I've been carded). A law was recently placed into effect by Schwarzenegger to restrict the sale of violent video games to minors here in California. While this is a relatively ethical and noble step in the prevention of content reaching kids under 18, this is still a violation of the First Amendment. It's no different to federally restrict the sale of violent movies or music (which were both overturned) to under age kids than it is to restrict video games. The question is not whether it's ok for kids to buy violent video games, but if this restriction of the First Amendment will continue to stand.

    While I personally feel that the parents should be responsible for what their children watch, listen to, and play (after all they are finantially and legally responsible until they're in their early 20's); I feel that the law makers in Washington need to know that it's not ok to restrict media to people based on unsubstantiated evidence that violent media causes violent outbreaks in kids. The research is much to the contrary, yes, I have read much of the research from both sides. Washington is making laws to restrict sales, and parents (along with many uninformed voters) are ok with it because they want someone to blame besides themselves if something happens to their kids.

    My point I'm trying to make is that this battle has been fought and won before because people fight against law-makers that want nothing more than to push one more bill through Congress that will regulate the nation for their own personal fulfillment. Just look at Jack Thompson, and his utter hate for anything even video game related! People in Washington are just trying to pass more laws that will bring in more tax money and further their own political careers. Not only do these laws violate the First Amendment, but they're the stepping stones to federal restrictions on everything they deem wrong. It's the first wave of laws that, up till now, haven't stuck to any other form of media to date. They're trying to pass the same bills that they were made back in the day to restrict music and movies. Games are just the next logical step because they're the current popular media. That's why I signed up. Not to combat the law against the sale of violent games to minors, but to fight Washington every step of the way to them placing restrictions on the things we get our entertainment from. It's just entertainment. If a few kids want to blame games for their depression, they shouldn't put that on everyone that enjoys their experiences with games like you and me. What Jack Thompson and Hillery want to do is eventually pass a law that will restrict the sale of violent video games completely on the claims that they cause violence. If that ever happens, the adults like you and I will never even see the titles on the shelves when we walk into the store, because at that point they will be as illegal as heroine.

    I'm writing this letter to you to encourage you to look at this site and read over some of the material. I want you to give me some feedback. Your opinion is one of the only that I really care about solely because you and I conflict on some very interesting points. Look it over, and hit me back.

    Pass this letter on if you want. http://www.videogamevoters.org/

    -Seth

  • Iriseon

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 11:33 pm GMT

    These voter drives are constantly aimed at younger people in an effort to simply get them to the polls. That's all well and good, but the education efforts to provide quality information on candidates and current events (not to mention historical precedent) are lacking. The mainstream media and schools across the country consistently fail to graduate people with a competent, thorough, and balanced understanding of politics. If you vote out of a position of ignorance, you're not really making your voice be heard. Conventional wisdom is anything but and emotion trumps thought in a majority of the debates. Don't be a sheep; vote after you know who the politicians are across the spectrum of issues not who they say they are.

  • CyphenX

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 10:01 pm GMT

    I completely agree wtih THX5334, and if I tried to re-iterate anyhting he said, I'd just make it worse. Read what he/she wrote. All of it.

  • THX5334

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 9:37 pm GMT

    The fact that most people don't vote in this country is pathetic. I can't say I really believe we need a gamers block out there for voting, there are far greater issues, but if it gets people in the booths then I'm for it.

    The right to vote is one of the greatest freedoms bestowed on this country, and yet most people blow it off. If you had a lousy boss or teacher that you dealt with everyday and they were really bad at their job and you were offered the opportunity to vote them out of that job wouldn't you vote for that?

    The fact is people in politics effect your life in such more important ways, but way too many people still believe that it doesn't effect them. Think there should be a minimum wage hike? Vote. Don't like the war? Vote. Want better health care? Vote. Worried about immigration? Vote. Want someone to explain why at 18 you're old enough to go to Iraq, but not old enough to drink? Vote. Afraid the government will start regulating the internet making it no longer free for all of us? Vote. Would like to have a job that hasn't been outsourced waiting for you when you get out of college? Vote. Think you should go to jail for selling someone under 18 a M rated game? Vote. Cheaper gas prices? Vote. Want to protect the 1st amendment? Vote.

    These people in power are only there for as longs as we let them stay. They are supposed to represent us. Do you feel like they are representing you? Or do you think that both the Democrats and Republicans are just lining their own pockets and forgotten who they really work for? Us. If so, then vote them out on their asses! A lot of people on both sides of the political aisle have said that America needs to wake up. Well it starts at the top, and the politicians that care more about their careers than the people need to wake up and realize we're through with their selfish bullsh*t. What ever happened to politicians who didn't always vote on Party lines and actually voted for what they believed in? Can't we finally show these people that we don't believe them anymore when their views are determined by focus groups instead of common sense. I mean they started using focus groups in Hollywood back in the 80's and just look how good movies have been since I love America there are millions of really good people here. This Red State / Blue State BS is all just part of the old divide and conquer play. If we hate each other enough and stay scared then we wont pay attention to these self-serving idiots who continually screw up this country to make them and their friends richer while we all sit back and whine about what's better the PS3 or Xbox 360 instead of voting. Go out and vote on election day or you're all just a bunch of weak little pus*ies. Thousands upon thousands of people died just so you could vote, maybe you could get off the couch for 40 minutes.

  • Seraphim_24

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 9:06 pm GMT

    Timstuff: You may not like it, but regulation of any kind of media is a violation of first ammendment rights. It is why these attempts have failed to hold up in court. I would not vote for Liberman, or Clinton because I believe there are indeed bigger problems in the world. It frusterates me that Clinton and Liberman are willing to spend $90 mill on a Center for Disease Control investigation of video games (Called CAMRA if you're interested) yet they have spent nothing on 1) Stopping the nonsense in Iraq 2) Loweing fuel costs 3) Loweing the costs of housing and education 4) Protecting other such civil liberties like privacy which the Bush administration has tossed out the window with the patriot act. The Democrats are just as crooked and corrupt as teh Republicans, and I think that the ESA's plan will be good for the country. We younger folks need to get our leaders focused on teh stuff that really matters. You yourself said that video gaming is a trivial matter, so why support a politician who has put so much of his focus on a trivial matter? Who is famous, or infamous, for trivial matters? There are better options than Republicans and Democrats. You need to start thinking outside the two party paradigm. For every left and right there is also a middle.

  • djfidelone

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 9:05 pm GMT

    Never forget WE ARE THE VOICES NOT THOSE THAT TAX AND GOVERN!!!

  • Goombaloo

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 7:59 pm GMT

    I wish I could vote, I live in China!

  • Timstuff

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 5:51 pm GMT

    There are too many important issues going on today to vote for someone based on their stance on videogames. Look at me-- when I was a kid, I hated Joe Lieberman because all I knew was that he wanted to take away Mortal Kombat. But now, I'm actually going to vote for him, because there are some things that are more important than videogames. This program sounds like a really weak attempt by someone to sway eleciton results based on videogames. How do we know what these people's real politics are outside of videogames? For all we know, they just want to trick us into voting in a lemon just because he is against videogame regulation. If you'd vote for someone just because of their politics around videogames, then you're not looking at the big picture.

  • VegetaMaelstrom

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 5:20 pm GMT

    Everyone here knows that there are way more important issues going on internationally and domestically than the fate of video games. That is why it is such a good idea to join this project. If this organization gets enough support they can say to the politicians "get your minds off of trivial matters that (possibly) negatively affect less than 1% of the population and get to work on the big issues like crime, education, immigration etc." Just the threat of losing a large number of voters could make some of the headline-grabbing politician crooks think twice about filing legislation restricting video games to people. Because right now they can bash games and gamers leading up to every election with little to no consequences at all. Gee, I wonder what they will do? Slander and lie about the gaming industry and get votes from clueless parents and soccer moms who come out and vote in good numbers OR stand up for the game industry or remain silent on the subject which will earn the support of the largely nonvoting gamers. As of right now it is not a hard choice for the politicians to make. By increasing the numbers of this group then that choice will be harder for the crooks to make and 9 times out of 10 those elected officials will shy away from divisive issues to weigh in on the easy ones.

  • Stride4U

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:59 pm GMT

    Here we go again, when u have to force people to go vote it can not be a good thing. I mean they will go for the gaming issues which im sure they know and take seriously but what about the other issues? im pretty sure that if the average gamer never went to vote what makes u think he will make a educated vote about the other subject besides gaming if he was forced to go vote? Please educated yourselves on the politicians and propositions before heading to the polls at least if ur going to vote so that maybe those who have been voting for years even before this entire "lets suppress violent video games for votes" fiasco dont get there ballots canceled out because one person refused to educated himself on any other topic besides gaming and was voting on candidate's by what party they stand on or by how stupid there names sound. Vote for Ideals u believe strongly on and educated yourselves so that maybe we gamers will be taken more seriously...

  • Squids-Ahoy

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:49 pm GMT

    Interesting move, I doubt the gaming lobby will have much power, too many people will be playing games

  • Yoruichii

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 4:44 pm GMT

    The guy in the picture creeps me out for some reason

  • Mechakucha

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:55 pm GMT

    I vote, but tend to care about issues a LITTLE BIT bigger and more important than videogames. Like... oh I don't know... that war that's been going on for the past 3 1/2 years. Whatever happened with that? Awesome priorities, America! (both voters and those voted for)

  • Murpheus007

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:36 pm GMT

    Even if this website only gets one lazy gamer to vote, then it's done it job.... no... wait that isn't right... oh here it is.... If a person isn't responsible enough to care for the sake of their real life and responsibilities, then this isn't going to do much. But hey, at least they got something to live for over at the VGV...whatever.

  • JLCrogue

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:35 pm GMT

    I'm a member of the Videogame Voters Network and registered to vote!

  • ELJUDEZ

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:32 pm GMT

    Crap!!!! im on probation.

  • CodeNamePlasma

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:29 pm GMT

    I love what the ESA is doing here. I don't like the idea of wasting time and money on this fight, but desperate politicians started it. The ESA and gamers really have no choice but to battle back. Games aren't a big deal on there own, but when the government is trying to restrict any kind of free speech, something has to be done.

  • TintedChimes

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:21 pm GMT

    Voting against and for games....hmmm....why are we wasting manpower and money on something so stupid? Can't we just focus on education, crime, economy, oh something like THE FREAKING GAS PRICE. I don't care what anyone says, until gas goes down to 1.59 it just plain SUCKS!

  • kb555

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 3:21 pm GMT

    This is great the ESA is doing this. I'm not gonna be 18 for another few years so I can't vote but I hope everyone who can does.

  • SilverGuy999999

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:35 pm GMT

    I'm Canadian so this doesn't effect me entirely. I'm all for the program though, so anyone in the US who reads this should definetly get out there and vote. Thank god Canada doesn't have the kind of crazy politicians going against video games, but if they do pop up in the future, they'll be losing my vote once I reach the voting age.

  • maxxseven

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:15 pm GMT

    I work in Voter Registration, and I'm not even registered. This may finally get me to register and vote. I stay out of politics, but I do follow game-related politcal news almost daily. I just never know which candidate is responsible for what. If this site makes it clear-cut who is "bad" and who is "good" (as far as gamer sensibilities are concerned), then I'll finally know who to vote for.

    Otherwise, I have no plans to vote. Who can keep up with candidates with all the fragging that needs done?

  • carcrazy426

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:15 pm GMT

    "The problem is not voter registration

    The problem is getting people to pick their lazy asses off the couch and actually go vote."

    I second that. The 20-30% voter turn-out rates prove this.

  • peeviness

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 2:05 pm GMT

    That's my birthday :O

  • prostar343

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:57 pm GMT

    Yea registered already. My 12th Gov teacher had the entire class register to vote for this Novs. election.

  • Omegadg2000

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:50 pm GMT

    When you're getting your throat sliced by a muslim fanatic you'll wish you took 5 minutes to drive to the voting booth but by then its too late, then again we always "know" when it's too late.

    Miserable human beings, you feed them knowledge they just regurgitate it back.

  • KillerFPS

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:42 pm GMT

    Give me 4 months (when I turn 18 ) and I'll get right one that.

  • Kodai_kun

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:11 pm GMT

    The problem is not voter registration

    The problem is getting people to pick their lazy asses off the couch and actually go vote.

  • Trigun1

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:07 pm GMT

    Please people sign up. We need to send these nut cases in DC a message. and that message is.... "we're not gonna take it anymore"

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:01 pm GMT

    i think ill vote

  • MetaRidley42

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 1:00 pm GMT

    This is today's Good Thing. :p

  • Rej72380

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:52 pm GMT

    This ought to tell the senators and representives that we don't want the 1st amendment to be dissolved, and it'll be told through the power of a registered vote.

  • npoenn

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:45 pm GMT

    there should be a Canadian version...

  • MasterManiac772

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:41 pm GMT

    Oh, look - we've got teeth! I can imagine a lot of politicians backing off, saying, "Oh, we didn't mean anything by it..."

  • ConManWithGun

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:25 pm GMT

    [This message was deleted at the request of a moderator or administrator]

  • Sociologist

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:20 pm GMT

    Rock The Vote

  • djenhancr

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:16 pm GMT

    Definitely down to help the cause...it's about time too.

  • Buck_Hotep

    Posted Sep 12, 2006 12:16 pm GMT

    This is a great idea if only the voting age gamers actually took the time out to register and vote.

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