»Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

On Tuesday, August 16, 2005 at 3:21 PM EST

WWE issued the following press release on Monday:

Smackdown Your Vote! Issues New 18-30 Voter Issues Paper, Announces Formation of National Political Network

Aug 15, 2005

STAMFORD, Conn., August 15, 2005 – In an effort to maintain the momentum achieved by the largest turnout of voters under 30 in U.S. history, Smackdown Your Vote! today issued a new voter issues paper (VIP) addressing the key issues facing

18-to-30-year-old Americans, and unveiled a network of 35 organizations committed to encouraging greater numbers of young Americans to engage in this country’s democratic process.

The 2004 election saw an 11 percent increase in voter turnout among Americans under 30 – the greatest increase among all groups – as a result of an effective coordinated effort among many dedicated organizations. Smackdown Your Vote!’s updated 18-30 VIP and the Smackdown Your Vote! Network have been created to further that success.

Information and important questions regarding the economy, education, Iraq and national security, health care and Social Security are found within the VIP. The VIP encourages 18-to-30-year-olds to use this information to engage their elected officials on these key issues for young adults in preparation for fall elections in 2005 and national mid-term elections in 2006.

The VIP is based on the most recent research conducted by top, national polls and other sources, including the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), the Congressional Budget Office and Harvard University’s Institute of Politics.

Committed to distributing The 18-30 VIP, the members of the newly formed Smackdown Your Vote! Network will use the document to encourage a dialogue among candidates and young adults by having candidates address the issues in writing and through community forums.

Charter members of the newly created network include Close Up Foundation (First Vote), Declare Yourself, League of Women Voters, Harvard University’s Institute of Politics, 18to35, PIRG New Voters Project, the University of Virginia Center for Politics Youth Leadership Initiative, George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, Rock the Vote, Mobilizing America’s Youth, United States Student Association, Kids Voting USA, APIA VOTE (Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote), 20/20 Vision, Black Youth Vote (a program of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation), Forum for Youth Investment, Generation Engage, and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Also part of the network is the National Campaign for Political and Civic Engagement which includes Allegheny College, The Center for Political Participation Birmingham Southern College, The Hess Center for Leadership and Service Clark Atlanta University, The Lowery Institute for Justice and Human Rights Elon University, Institute of Politics and Public Affairs Grinnell College Harvard University, Institute of Politics Louisiana State University, Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs Ohio State University, The John Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Eagleton Institute of Politics Saint Anselm College, The New Hampshire Institute of Politics Tufts University, University College of Citizenship and Public Service University of Kansas, The Dole Institute University of Oklahoma, Carl Albert Center for Congressional Research and Studies University of Rochester University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy University of Texas, Annette Strauss Institute of Civic Participation The University of Southern California, Jesse M Unruh Institute of Politics The University of Utah, Hinckley Institute of Politics University of Virginia, and the Center for Politics Vanderbilt University Office of Active Citizenship and Service.

Smackdown Your Vote!, founded in July 2000, is a nonpartisan approach to getting young people involved in the political process and registered to vote. For more information on Smackdown Your Vote! or to view The 18-30 VIP, please visit smackdownyourvote.com.