Concert aims to increase voter turnout

MTV plans to bring its “Choose or Lose 2000” concert series to UW–Madison students Saturday, Sept. 23, starting at 9:30 p.m. on the Memorial Union Terrace.

The event, organized to help students register to vote and encourage their participation in the fall elections, will feature Capitol Records recording artists The Push Stars.

The free concert is funded by the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s Music and Entertainment Committee and Associated Students of Madison.

“We are also collaborating with Charter Communications and MTV to promote awareness of the upcoming presidential elections and the opportunities for voter registration,” says Eric Olson, an event organizer. “The MTV ‘Choose or Lose 2000’ tent will be set up at the event and staffed by volunteers who can help concertgoers register to vote.”

The Push Stars, from Boston, play music often compared to Guster or Dave Mathews. Local group Exit will open the concert. In case of rain, the bands will play in the Rathskeller and voter registration will take place in the Trophy Room.

At a similar event on Library Mall in April 1996, more than 800 students registered to vote – making the Madison campus one of the most successful stops on the “Choose or Lose” college tour that year. Organizers hope for equal or better numbers this year.