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For as long as there have been elections, there have been advertisements for one candidate or another — and in countries like the U.S., where voter turnout in presidential elections has been as low as 50%, there are plenty of ads simply exhorting people to get to the polling place on the appointed day. We scoured the net for unusual ads of this ilk, past and present, and found a few doozies we’d love to share. And hey, if they should inspire you to get to the polling place next Tuesday, all the better!
Dig Down, Dig in and Vote!
This ad for the 1960 presidential election goes further than simply admonishing citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote — it implies that they should be donating money to campaigns and canvassing door-to-door as well.
Terry Tate Gets Out the Vote
Maybe the strangest voting commercial of all time. Terry Tate comes off as a total fascist … for voting.
This Guy Votes … and So Should You
The weirdest argument I’ve ever heard for voting: if losers like this are going to the polls, you need to go too.
The Littles: Tell Your Parents to Vote!
A low-rent Saturday morning cartoon from the 80s (based on a series of kids’ books from the 60s) half-heartedly asks its sugar-addled viewers to “tell your parents to vote!”
Madonna: Rock the Vote
Madonna has done innumerable “rock the vote” spots, but this three-minute epic is worth remembering — it parodies the style of her controversial 1991 tour documentary Truth or Dare (except the spot takes place in a chair — rather than in her bed).
November 2: One Heckuva T-shirt
Is this a commercial for a tee-shirt?
Comments (14)
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I can’t look at these right now, but I wanted to make a point.
In our form of government voting should neither be viewed as a right (of citizenship) or a privilege (to be taken away as punishment), but as an obligation.
Obviously, it’d be wrong to force people to vote, but I think they should be shamed.
All these people who are registering this time around, where the hell have they been?
posted by BassMan on 10-29-2008 at 11:52 am
I’m biased because I’m conservative, but I’m so over all the Obama ads telling people to vote- I’ve seen countless “vote early in Indiana for Obama” ads on facebook and other web sites, and then this morning I saw one for him saying “talk to your boss, talk to your professor- take the day off. Vote.” Um excuse me? My boss would laugh if I took the day off for something that took a half hour, tops. I’m going early before work. I may be a few minutes late but, come on! I doubt many employers are tickled pink about that ad.
posted by Kelly J on 10-29-2008 at 12:18 pm
I’m voting, but not because of these ads.
posted by Sara on 10-29-2008 at 12:48 pm
I don’t think the ads are saying just ask for time off willy nilly…I’m taking the day off using a paid vacation day. Gonna vote early, go home and watch it all on tv over pizza and beer like a football game. A 2 year long football game that’s finally down to the final seconds.
Good luck on voting in a half hour. Even early voters are reporting waiting for hours. I expect to have to wait but have planned accordingly. Plus, I’m in Ohio, and can’t wait to see the friendly faces standing in line together….
posted by Neal Hicks on 10-29-2008 at 12:51 pm
People who don’t vote are an embarassment and a disgrace.
posted by John on 10-29-2008 at 12:54 pm
It’s not specifically an ad, but P. Diddy’s “Vote or Die” campaign/South Park parody is worthy of note.
posted by Peter on 10-29-2008 at 12:56 pm
Kelly: Actually, employers are required to give their employees 2 hours to vote on election day… so it’s actually pathetic, and illegal, if your boss laughs in your face.
posted by Kim on 10-29-2008 at 1:02 pm
I have my own unusual “Get Out the Vote” approach. My version is a slider puzzle, like the old puzzle where you have to put the numbers 1 to 15 in order. In my version, you have to arrange the tiles to read “VOTE THIS TUESDAY”.
You can play it by clicking on my name in this message.
posted by PuzzleScott on 10-29-2008 at 1:34 pm
Loved the slider puzzle! Thanks for sharing Scott!
posted by Orange on 10-29-2008 at 2:27 pm
Kim- actually it’s laws by state, and no, Indiana does NOT provide time off. Please scroll down the page I linked to in my name and see the handy dandy chart.
posted by Kelly J on 10-29-2008 at 3:01 pm
I like the “Terry Tate: Office Linebacker” election videos that are running on his website, returnofterrytate.com
There’s just something about watching a totally unsuspecting person get waylaid that helps make my day a little bit brighter.
posted by SpaceMonkeyX on 10-29-2008 at 3:10 pm
These were awesome finds, R!
Terry Tate tackles would really come in handy at some social interludes I’ve experienced lately in this political climate.
posted by Johnny Cat on 10-29-2008 at 9:22 pm
Just to update you all, I managed to make it to work on time… hope everyone else did too!
posted by Kelly J on 11-4-2008 at 9:22 am
It’s compulsary to vote in Australia. Not here in NZ, but everyone IS required to register.
Also, elections here are always held on a Saturday to ensure everyone can make it to the polls.
posted by Logan on 11-4-2008 at 7:19 pm