Rock the Vote’s web site features short snappy synopses of several issues,
including censorship, health care, selective service, and, most recently, social security.
While the information provided is generally informative, those looking for policy
guidance on these matters will likely be disappointed.
Why might RtV present material
that lacks depth and substance? One reason might be that the organization questions the
attention-span of young people given our contemporary proclivity for “sound bite”
culture (which, ironically, the organization’s approach perpetuates). Perhaps Rock the
Vote thinks it will restrict its audience (bi-partisanship offers maximum potential) if it is
perceived as too “partisan” or seen as taking specific stands on issues. Or maybe, RtV
wishes to protect its tax-exempt status. While the last matter sounds plausible, we
perceive it to be factually inaccurate. Given its status as 501c3 organization, RtV cannot
endorse specific candidates or engage in partisan politics. However, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) neither limits nor prohibits politics-related activities such as analysis of
social problems and policies or dissemination of education materials, so long as no
references are made to specific legislation and no specific positions taken
.
501c3’s can
also lobby and support organizing efforts as long as they do not earmark general
operating funds for these activities. Therefore, on the issue of health care, a preferred
Rock the Vote topic, the organization could provide in-depth information about universal
coverage, single payer plans, HMOs, health maintenance accounts and tie this
information to political party position. However, RtV chooses to offer a prepared-text e-
mail that people can send to Congress asking that family coverage for dependents be
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To be fair, in 2005, Rock the Vote’s website included a pro- social security video and the organization
teamed up with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in support of strengthening the
current system rather than moving towards privatization.
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Convention