The cast of the ABC Family television program “Greek” was at Border’s Books and Music in Westwood this Saturday encouraging college students to register to vote.
And now that the deadline is here ““ today is the last day to register to vote in the 2008 presidential elections ““ the “Greek” cast said they find it especially important to get the word out.
“Greek” is a show that follows the lives of several college students in the greek system. Thus, the cast members of the show hoped they could draw some interest to the election, since they have a mainly young audience.
“We’ve been going around promoting voter registration because the election is so important for future generations,” said Dilshad Vadsaria, who plays Rebecca Logan on the show.
Vadsaria said education, the war and environmental issues are the most important in this election, and students especially should be aware of these vital topics.
The “Greek” cast came to Westwood along with Declare Yourself, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that seeks to encourage young people to vote.
They were hoping to reach out to UCLA students, along with all Los Angeles residents.
Though the majority of the fans at the event were preteens looking asking for autographs and photographs, several people did show up to register.
UCLA representatives from the Undergraduate Students Association Council and California Public Interest Group were contacted by Declare Yourself to help out with the Borders event, said Caitlin Lawrence-Toombs, assistant director of the Students VOTE! Coalition at UCLA.
The Coalition is a combination of Calpirg and USAC.
Lawrence-Toombs, a third-year political science student, said their volunteers are attempting to register at least 8,000 UCLA students this year.
“We’re hoping this will get people to care,” Lawrence-Toombs said.
Students VOTE! members will register Bruins from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Bruin Walk today, she said.
“We’re trying to get every last UCLA student registered,” said Marc Morgenstern, the executive director of Declare Yourself. “We want to make sure we get those UCLA kids to register.”
Morgenstern said Declare Yourself is focused on getting 18-29 year olds to be informed and passionate voters.
He said it is important that students research issues and find the candidate that matters to them.
A team of Declare Yourself volunteers manned the event, while the “Greek” cast signed autographs and posed with fans. Declare Yourself members passed out pins, T-shirts and presented fans with registration forms.
“The greatest part about being an American is freedom of speech, whether or not you’re a Republican or a Democrat or third-party,” said Spencer Grammer, who plays sorority president Casey Cartright on “Greek.”
Grammer’s costar, Jacob Zachar, who plays Casey’s brother on the show, said this is a very important election.
“This one is really important, especially for the younger demographic,” he said.
Traci Leung, a third-year business economic student from the University of California, Irvine drove up to Westwood to meet the “Greek” cast.
Celebrity endorsement of the necessity of voting helps a lot, Leung said. She said it is more effective for an icon to encourage youth, rather than just politicians telling people to vote.
The “Greek” cast has made several visits to college campuses since August, kicking off a college tour at California State University Northridge, said Christie Manning, a Declare Yourself program director.
“The “˜Greek’ cast really expressed interest and was supportive of this cause,” Manning said.