For Immediate Release
Feb 5, 2004

WOMEN VOTE! Launches 2004 Voter Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - EMILY's List's today announced the launch of it's 2004 WOMEN VOTE! program. A nationwide voter mobilization and education project, the initiative will begin its efforts for the 2004 election cycle in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Leading into the state's April 27 primary, the Pennsylvania WOMEN VOTE! project will regularly send out trained groups of volunteers to go door-to-door in Philadelphia educating Democratic primary voters on key issues with an initial focus on health care. Additionally, Pennsylvania Women Vote! will be reaching out to Democratic primary voters in the Philadelphia and Montgomery County areas through a series of more than eight informational mailings. The mail pieces will educate voters on leading progressive issues in the region including health care and job growth.

"In a battleground state like Pennsylvania, where women make up the majority of the voting-age population, women voters will make the difference between victory or defeat for Democratic candidates up and down the ticket," said EMILY's List Political Director Karen M. White. "We're excited about talking to progressive voters in Pennsylvania about the issues that are important to working families, such as health care and jobs, so that they're well-informed when making their decision at the polls." According to the 2000 census, women make up 53% of the voting-age population in Montgomery County and 55% of the voting-age population in Philadelphia.

The EMILY's List WOMEN VOTE! project is looking at expanding its operation in Pennsylvania and plans to launch more state-based programs this election cycle in other battleground states throughout the country.

Launched in 1995, the historic EMILY's List WOMEN VOTE! project combines polling and research, advanced information technology, sophisticated message testing, and precinct-by-precinct field work to mobilize millions of women voters across the country. EMILY's List designed WOMEN VOTE! to build a progressive political base that will elect more Democrats, especially women, by helping to increase turnout among women voters year after year.