Video the Vote 2006
Video the Vote is recruiting videographers and volunteers with video
cameras to document any problems people have voting at the polls on
November 7th. With the help of other organizations, we'll train
these video volunteers so they know what to look for at the polls and
know to call election protection when needed. We'll also set up
tape drop off points and ask techie volunteers to upload the tapes we
get immediately to the Web on YouTube.com. We'll also encourage
individuals with camera to post under Video the Vote on line on their
own. Our intention is to supplement election protection efforts
by making video taken at the polls available on the Web in short
order. This will allow election protection folks and everyone
with an Internet connection to see what's happening in near real-time
and rectify problems at polls before they close.
Video the Vote is the inspiration of the Guerilla News Network's Ian
Inaba, director of the election documentary "American
Blackout." Ian got some of his best footage from
individuals, many amateurs, who brought video cameras to the polls in
November 2004 in Columbus. He knew that figuring out how to get
this "guerilla" footage to the public much sooner would help protect
voters. Fortunately, making video available on the web has become
much easier than it was in 2004.
We're currently developing protocols to coordinate Video the Vote,
which I'll share with you soon. Within the week, Video the Vote
will have a completed website where volunteers can sign up, download
protocols and guidelines and learn more about the project. That
site address is: videothevote.org.
Please send any video volunteers or other potential collaborators on
Video the Vote my way. Again, we mean to supplement efforts to
protect the vote that are already underway.
Oh, and if you haven't seen the upsetting, important, inspiring movie
"American Blackout," you'll have another opportunity. SEIU is
sponsoring a showing of the film and Ian Inaba will attend and answer
questions. Here's that event information:
American Blackout Thursday, October 26, 2006 7 pm (Reception at 6:30) Drexel Gateway near OSU Campus 1550 North High Street
Thanks, and I look forward to working with you all.
Best,
Melissa Giraud
[email protected]
[email protected]
cell 773-895-2378