One of the big challenges we have faced when producing non-partisan voter education programming is finding ways to make content dynamic and engaging without being able to take a stand or a position. It’s a lot easier to be poignant when you can advocate for one side or the other.
In 2008, Betsy Rosenfeld, Director of Video Voter, saw an opportunity in America's seemingly new found and voracious appetite for all things related to the Presidential election. Together with comedy writer Lauren Iungerich, Rosenfeld produced five comedic Public Service Announcements that addressed election related issues without having to take a side." It's the School House Rock approach to voter education" said Rosenfeld. "By using humor to address questions people needed answered such as who is eligible to vote and how the Electoral College works, we were able to really move the dial."
Click a link below to view a PSA:
YouTube noticed one particular video, 'Electoral College Explained', and approached Video Voter about featuring it as part of their Video Your Vote initiative. Dovetailing off of that CGS/Video Voter was granted a branded channel by YouTube as well as numerous key placements for our 'Ask an Expert Q&A' which featured Video Voter & CGS staff answering viewer questions. Viewership for Video Voter/CGS content topped 180,000 views for the period with over 80,000 for the 'Electoral College Explained.' While that might not seem like a ton of hits compared to a cute puppy sliding around on a hardwood floor, the numbers were pretty impressive for non-partisan voter information type content.
Check out the Video Voter Guide NYC press release.