Hayden Panettiere says, Register to Vote!

Hayden, who plays Claire on the hit show, Heroes, is also an eco-warrior who has jumped into the open ocean to help protect the rights of dolphins. When it comes to this year's presidential election, Hayden encourages her generation of voters to jump into the driver's seat and get registered to vote for November's elections.

Photo Courtesy Jennifer Regan
"Vote on the issues. Voting is what's going to effect change. Contact your elected officials and your candidates. Also, read up on the issues and be informed so you know what you're voting on."

When asked how she sees using her celebrity status to impact social change, Hayden responded, "Celebrity has influence because people like to read about them when they're standing in line at the grocery store. So if our actions can influence positively, great! When we want to make changes, it's not enough to protest or march. We need to contact our congressmen and elected officials to tell them how we feel about issues."

Photo Courtesy Jennifer Regan

She is a contributor to the book of essays, Declare Yourself, put out by DeclareYourself.com and published by Harper Teen. In it she says, "Did you know that four million Americans turn eighteen every year? You may not know it, but we are the fastest growing group of voters. It's a big group, getting bigger every day. The people in Washington will have no choice but to listen to us - but only if we speak up; only if we exercise our voting rights and don't silence ourselves."

Emily VanCamp, currently on Brothers and Sisters and formerly on Everwood, says that as a Canadian, she is all too aware of the fact that she won't be able to vote in the upcoming presidential election. She recently did a college tour for voter registration with other actors of her generation.

"For me it's about the fact that I can't vote. I pay taxes here in the U.S. and have now for 6 years but that still doesn't give me the right to vote here. I don't take the privilege lightly. Especially now when I don't have a voice." Emily said that the environment is the biggest issue for her right now as is the case with many of her peers. "The environment is a huge concern of mine right now. Especially coming from Canada where we grow a lot of our own food. I was raised in Port Perry which is a very sustainable town. I was raised in nature and so I still feel close to it. It's what I miss most, living here in Los Angeles," shared Emily.

Photo Courtesy Jennifer Regan
Scott Michael Foster and Amber Stevens from Greek on ABC Family advise: "Stay on your game and be educated about the issues at hand. Also, register yourself to vote!" DeclareYourself.com is a voter registration campaign organization founded by T.V. producer Norman Lear who encourages of age youth to get involved, register and vote.

Event was held at the Green Door in Hollywood.

Comments

[LiberalBuzz]

Good for you Hayden. Most girls your age are too busy partying to give a rat's rear about voting and issues.

Hope things are working out for the folks. Take care of your little brother too.