Boston's Youth Speak Out on Politics and Who Will Get Their Vote This November During the First Day of the Democratic National Convention

As the presidential election draws near, today's youth are increasing their participation in the political process. The PlayStation®2 Pulse, a survey of the community conducted during a recent Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) stop in Boston found that 81 percent of local young people surveyed will head to the polls this November to voice their opinions. In fact, nearly 30,000 citizens registered to vote through the HSAN youth voter registration initiative, "Hip-Hop Team Vote," during yesterday's Summit hosted by Russell Simmons, Reverend Run, Lloyd Banks, Wyclef Jean, Farnsworth Bentley, Loon, Kevin Lyles, the Ying Yang Twins, and many others at the Roxbury Community College.

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The last presidential election only brought 36 percent of Americans ages 18-24 to the polls, according to census figures, but according to the PlayStation 2 Pulse those numbers are likely to change.

"By polling today's youth, we have a better understanding of our core demographic and can hopefully aid the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network in its non-partisan voter registration initiatives," said Molly Smith, director of public relations, Sony Computer Entertainment America.

Who will Boston's Young People Be Voting For?

Nearly 81 percent of Boston's young people will mark off John Kerry's name to be our next president. As today's young adults become more politically involved, it is no surprise that only 13 percent were still undecided.

What's Motivating Young People To Go To the Polls?

For Boston's young people, education, employment and economy were the top three issues motivating them to vote in this year's election. Gaining 59 percent of the vote, education was more important than employment (56 percent) and economy (43 percent). Criminal justice and healthcare were also considerations with young people saying it motivates them to go to the polls.

Talk or Action?

Interestingly, while youth voter participation has plummeted in the past 28 years, Boston's youth are moving forward with their civil duty and exercising the right to vote. When asked if they plan on voting in this year's election, 81 percent said they would be heading out on November 2 to express their individual voices.

In an effort to empower young voters to participate in the 2004 election, PlayStation 2 has joined forces with Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) in a non-profit, non-partisan voter initiative. The PlayStation 2 Pulse was conducted during the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network's stop in Boston on July 26, 2004. The survey polled 495 attendees, 18 years of age or older on their political views and what motivates them to go to the polls this November.

About Hip Hop Summit Action Network

HSAN is a non-profit, non-partisan national coalition of artists, entertainment industry leaders, education advocates, civil rights proponents and youth leaders united in the belief that the "hip-hop" phenomena is an enormously influential agent for social change which must be responsibly and pro-actively utilized to fight the war on poverty and injustice.

  For more information go to http://www.hsan.org/ .

  About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one™ game console, and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. The PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system is set to revolutionize the home entertainment market, offering the most compelling interactive content and the capability to be used as a network terminal in the coming broadband era.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one game console and the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com/ .

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SOURCE: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Katie Cray, +1-310-205-8395, or kcray@bncpr.com

Web site: http://www.hsan.org/

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/