Rock the Vote, the organization that seeks to educate and engage youth in the political process, came to campus on Saturday, September 13 to kick off its "Road Trip '08" voter registration tour. The two-hour event featured musical performances from four acts who have ties to Belmont, including "American Idol" finalist Melinda Doolittle.

"I think [events like this] make it so easy for people to register to vote," said Doolittle. "Especially at this age, people will find excuses not to vote. I know when I was in school I didn't know much about the process.

"I'm really impressed with Rock the Vote and what they have been doing. In this election, both candidates are trying to figure out how to get the youth vote. They are going after the people who will be shaping the world and I think that's awesome."

More than 1.4 million people have registered to vote through Rock the Vote, making it the largest youth voter registration drive in history. Saturday's event, which had over 200 people in attendance, added at least 40 more to that tally.

"It's so important for people in our age group to get their voices heard," said 23-year-old Willa Brown, the volunteer coordinator for Rock the Vote. "In the 2004 election, 81.6% of registered 18-29 voters showed up to the polls. Politicians tend not to talk to us because they don't think we are listening so we need to show them that we are."

"We need somebody to represent our beliefs," said Zach Allen, a senior audio engineering major who also helped bring the event to campus as vice president of events for Program Board. "We're just a couple of years from getting out of school and being on our own, needing to worry about things like health care and gas prices. We need someone to help cater to us."

Turnout amongst young voters has increased dramatically in the 2004 and 2006 elections and again this year with the 2008 primaries.  

"This is one of those elections where the nation could truly go one way or the other," said Rachel Hollister, a freshman who also majors in audio engineering. "There are issues becoming bigger that should have been bigger in years past. I think it's huge how candidates are going about getting to voters our age.

"A lot of times in the voting process, people feel like their vote doesn't count. If you expose them to the process in a way that connects to them, like music, you have a better chance of hitting your audience."

Doolittle performed a four-song set to close the afternoon, belting out tunes as diverse as "Declaration of Love" and her new single "It's Your Time." Also performing at the event were Biscuits and Gravy, Natalie Henderson and Gordon Kennedy.

Rock the Vote's "Road Trip '08" continues next in Blacksburg, Virginia before heading to 13 other cities over the next three weeks.

Check out photos from the event here.