With the 2008 election right around the corner, it is no wonder that the national nonpartisan campaign Declare Yourself has been on the scene promoting the empowerment of voting amongst youth. Through this campaign, 1.2 million people registered to vote in 2004 and 2006. This year Declare Yourself is working with Young Hollywood stars like Hayden Panettiere and America Ferrera to get the word out: voting is in!

Declare Yourself is not your ordinary campaign. In 2006, the Vote or Die campaign was popular amongst the youth. Paris Hilton, who contributed to getting the word out, failed to vote in the election that year. What separates the Declare Yourself campaign is the detailed information from start to finish on the voting process, from registering to finding a place near your home to make voting convenient. They also chose positive young celebrities like Hayden to be the face of the campaign.

Everyone involved with this project seems to be very passionate about getting everyone to vote, although the focus is on the youth. There is more diversity within voters in their youth. In 2006, young people increased their votes by 2 million in the midterm election and in 2008 there will be four million 18-year-olds eligible to vote which can really impact an election. We really do have the power to choose our President and Declare Yourself is spreading the word. Celebrating with celebrities and really affects the number of registered voters, Declare Yourself has attracted big names to its advisory board.

The campaign held Hollywood Celebrates 18 and attendees included the newly 18 Hayden, Kristen Bell, Nick Cannon and Justin Timberlake. Television and film producer Norman Lear is the founder of the popular campaign and was the real star of the celebration. He said Declare Yourself goes along with the theme of the Declaration of Independence, that all men are created equal. With online sponsors like MySpace, YouTube, and Google the word is bound to spread like wildfire in dry brush. I, Declare Myself, and will be voting this year. Will you?

Norman Lear and Hayden Panitierre at Declare Yourself's Hollywood Celebrates 18 event at the historic Beverly Hills Post Office on Thursday, September 27, 2007.

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