The Secretary of State’s Office is inviting schoolchildren to create 30-second public service announcements to promote voting.

This is part of the state’s Promote the Vote effort. The Youth Voting Media Project is encouraging middle and high school students to develop, film and present 30-second public service announcements about the importance of voting. All of the videos will be showcased in Augusta in October. Selected commercials may be streamed through Web sites and broadcast on television before the November election.

“The election of 2004 presents an opportunity to chart a new course for voter turnout among young adults. Although Maine is a national leader in turnout, additional steps can and should be taken to encourage more young people to get involved in the democratic process,” Secretary Dan Gwadosky stated.

Curriculum, registration and other information is available at www.maine.gov/sos/youth or by phoning 626-8406.