CVF-NEWS

 

New "Proposition Song" Music Video Debuts on YouTube!

October 13, 2010

Hi Folks,

The California Voter Foundation is very pleased to announce the debut of our new "Proposition Song" music video! Please see today's news release below for more details.

-- Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation

New "Proposition Song" Music Video Debuts on YouTube

Nonpartisan sing-along song helps California voters learn about propositions at www.calvoter.org

Sacramento, CA - Voters looking for help sorting out California's nine ballot propositions have a new tool at their fingertips. "The Proposition Song" is a three-minute, nonpartisan music video now playing on YouTube. The song describes each of the nine measures and the video displays the lyrics to the song while it plays, encouraging viewers to "sing along".

"Music can be a great educational tool," said Kim Alexander, president of the California Voter Foundation, the nonprofit organization that released the video today. Alexander wrote the song's lyrics, which are set to a traditional folk melody, and recruited six musician friends to sing and perform it with her. They recorded the song at Capital Public Radio's downtown studio on October 5.

"The "Proposition Song" provides an interactive and entertaining way to learn about what's on the ballot," Alexander explained, noting the song was originally inspired by the "Schoolhouse Rock" series of the 1970's. The California Voter Foundation (CVF) also produces its nonpartisan California Online Voter Guide with extensive information about each proposition, state and federal candidates, and voting in California.

The 2010 "Proposition Song" video is the third of its kind produced by CVF. The first came out in 2000, when voters faced a ballot featuring twenty propositions. The second was produced in 2006, when the ballot included thirteen state measures. The song is available for free from CVF's web site, www.calvoter.org, in an mp3 format. Lyrics and chords are also provided. News organizations, radio stations and others who wish to broadcast or republish the song for nonpartisan voter education purposes are encouraged to do so. A high-resolution version of the video is available upon request.

The California Voter Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)3 organization advancing the responsible use of technology to improve the democratic process. CVF's 2010 voter outreach projects are supported by the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation.

The song lyrics are featured below.

Proposition Song Lyrics

By Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation

Oh we're having an election, November 2's the day
There are nine state propositions, come vote and have your say.

Prop. 19's the first measure, it asks voters if we oughta
Regulate, tax and legalize marijuana
Each ten years congressional district lines get redrawn
Prop 20 says that job should go to a citizen commission.
Prop 21 would fund state parks with automobile fees
Prop 22 curbs state access to local government proceeds

It's the Proposition Song!
Let's all be singing along!
Cuz the ballot is too darn long.

Twenty-three suspends a law called "AB 32"
that seeks to slow down climate change and restricts what polluters do.
If voters pass Prop. 23, 32 it would prevent
From being law 'til unemployment's at 5.5 percent.

The next prop also seeks to keep a law from taking effect,
24 would halt newly enacted corporate tax credits.
There are just a few more measures, to sing of in this song
So hang on friends, we're near the end
Of this proposition song.
You should all be singing along.
Cuz the ballot is too darn long.

Passing the state budget takes a two-thirds vote currently
Prop 25 would change it to a straight majority.
26 is also 'bout vote margins, switching up the words
Instead of majorities to pass new fees, the vote would be two-thirds.
27's yet another prop 'bout political district lines
If it's passed, the job goes to the politicians next time.

If you want more information, just log yourself online
There's a whole lot more at calvoter-dot-org
We're open all the time!

-- Kim Alexander, California Voter Foundation

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The California Voter Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization promoting and applying the responsible use of technology to improve the democratic process. CVF-NEWS is a free, electronic newsletter featuring news and updates about the California Voter Foundation's projects and activities.

Contact the California Voter Foundation by:

phone - (916) 441-2494
web - http://www.calvoter.org
U.S. Mail - P.O. Box 189277, Sacramento, CA 95818

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This page was first published on October 13, 2010 | Last updated on October 13, 2010
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