Jessica Alba shocked the world a few weeks ago by appearing in a controversial new ad campaign for the Declare Yourself organization. Declare Yourself is a nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign aiming to empower every eligible American, 18-to-29 years old, to register to vote in the 2008 presidential election. They enlist celebrity spokespeople to help raise awareness in order to get young voters registered to vote. Jessica‘s first ad campaign for the organization, released a few weeks ago, featured her wrapped in black electrical tape that particularly was placed over her mouth:

From the accompanying press release: Declare Yourself, the national nonpartisan, nonprofit youth voter initiative is launching a powerful print and viral campaign aimed at energizing young adults to register and vote in the 2008 election. The campaign, entitled, “Only You Can Silence Yourself,” features Jessica Alba (The Fantastic Four, Sin City) in a series of images by renowned photographer Marc Liddell. The striking photographs feature Alba quite literally silenced—with gags and masks stifling her voice as a citizen. The photos are available for download at www.DeclareYourself.com, and can be circulated virally; they will also be featured in national publications this fall. “I really don’t see the point in not registering to vote,” said Alba. “We sign up for MySpace pages and Facebook pages, and download music off the internet. The least people can do is register to vote online, actually making a difference in their world, not just making their lives a little bit cooler. It makes more sense to spend your time making a change in society—and it actually doesn’t take that much time! It takes more time to make a music playlist than it does to register to vote.” “Young adults are inundated with messages,” said Marc Morgenstern, Declare Yourself Executive Director. “This campaign is designed to break through and inspire young people to seize their role in the future of our country by registering and voting. We are deeply grateful to Jessica for lending her voice to this important movement.”

I have to say that I wholly support this organizations work towards educating young people of the importance of registering to vote. Voting is such an important right that so many Americans take for granted … and it is imperative that eligible folks GET REGISTERED to vote so that they have have a say in the governance of our country. Even if you aren’t sure who to vote for yet, you MUST GET REGISTERED IN TIME otherwise you will not be allowed to vote once you do make up your mind as the election nears. The deadlines to register in many states are very close at hand (this week, in some states) so it’s IMPERATIVE for folks to get registered. If images like these catch the attention and urge people to register than I am all for it. Declare Yourself released a second, possibly more, controversial ad featuring Jessica Alba last night. After the jump, check it out for yourself …

While a bit over-the-top, I think these ads really make the point. You are in control over whether or not your voice can be heard. Do not let ANYONE speak for you … get registered, get your friends and family members registered and GET OUT AND VOTE. Pay attention to what is being said by the candidates, do your own research and learn the facts. We are at a turning point in our country’s history … don’t you want to be a part of that change?

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