DNC: Toll free number and radio ads to help displaced New Orleanians vote

WASHINGTON, March 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In an effort to help displaced New Orleanians exercise their right to vote, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean and DNC Voting Rights Institute Chair Donna Brazile today announced a Get-Out- The-Vote plan for the municipal elections on Saturday, April 22.

After Hurricane Katrina, tens of thousands of New Orleans residents were displaced from their homes and they now live elsewhere in Louisiana and neighboring states. Due to the hurricane, more than 100 polling places were destroyed and consolidated into a smaller number of precincts. These problems could potentially prevent New Orleans residents the opportunity to vote in an election that will determine the future of their city.

The plan features a new toll free number, 1-888-DEM-VOTE or 1- 888-336-8683, which provides New Orleanians now living in Louisiana and neighboring states critical information about: 1) the process to request an absentee ballot application, 2) new polling locations in New Orleans, and 3) early voting satellite locations elsewhere in Louisiana.

To publicize the new toll free number, the DNC will start running advertisements and Public Service Announcements (PSAs) next week on African-American radio stations in Houston, Atlanta, and Baton Rouge. These ads, which will air during the next few weeks prior to the election, were recorded by New Orleans native Donna Brazile.

"The right to vote is one of the most fundamental and precious rights in any Democracy. This new toll free number will help all New Orleans voters cast their ballot and have their vote counted," said DNC Chairman Dean. "Democrats believe every effort must be made to provide all the necessary information about the elections to all Orleans Parish voters, whether they are currently in or out of the state."