Interscope Geffen A&M Records (IGA) today announced the launch of Interscope X Votes, a coordinated campaign to increase voter turnout, promote early and mail-in voting, and support efforts to address a nationwide shortage of poll workers ahead of the November 3rd national election. As the nation faces the most consequential election in a generation, Interscope is taking a unique approach to boosting democratic participation by engaging its employees and its deep and diverse roster of artists – and their legions of passionate fans – in an integrated campaign to educate, inspire, and mobilize. Timed for maximum impact in these crucial final weeks before the election, Interscope X Votes will leverage the power of influencer platforms and internal employee engagement to address the most urgent areas of need: inspiring Americans to exercise their right to vote, educating voters about their safe early voting options, and protecting the ability of all citizens to vote by preventing the delays and closures that will result from the national shortage of poll workers.
“Low voter turnout is a problem in the best of times, but coupled with the global pandemic, this year will be especially challenging,” says Interscope Geffen A&M Vice-Chairman Steve Berman. “Interscope X Votes aims to reach all voters––including first-time voters, people who might not consider themselves political, or those who believe their vote doesn’t matter––with a message of hope and optimism: This is our chance to stand up, raise our voices and make sure we’re heard.”
Beginning next week, IGA employees, artists and their millions of fans, will be encouraged to use social media to encourage engagement in three key areas:
Poll Worker ShortageThe nationwide poll worker shortage threatens to put our older population at risk, cause long lines and delays on election day, and create obstacles to turnout––particularly in communities of color and low-income communities.
Maintaining safe in-person voting is critical for neighborhoods without reliable access to mail service, voters with disabilities, those who need language assistance, or for voters who simply want to cast their ballot in-person as they always have. Interscope X Votes is tackling the problem head-on by mounting a public education campaign to spread awareness of these risks, encourage the donation of personal protective equipment to poll workers, and inspire Americans to sign up to staff their local polling place. Early Voting and Mail-In VotingWhen Americans vote early, they ensure nothing will prevent them from casting their ballots, and they help shorten voting lines on Election Day for everyone.
But voter registration and early voting rules – both for in-person and by-mail options – vary widely all over the country, which can cause confusion and prevent voters from casting their ballots. Interscope is leveraging its influencer channels to encourage mail-in and early voting, and directing Americans to essential resource hubs via partner organizations including Vote Early Day, When We All Vote, Black Voters Matter, and Voto Latino. Get Out The VoteOnly about 56% of eligible Americans voted in the 2016 election, and this year’s election presents even greater challenges to turnout.
Behavioral science studies show that when a trusted source demonstrates that they have voted, other people in their network become more likely to vote. Interscope X Votes is leveraging their deep roster of trusted sources to raise awareness about the stakes of this critical moment and the importance of showing up. Interscope x Votes is working in concert with UMG’s previously announced Use Your Voice campaign.