October 28, 2009 - In preparation for the general election on November 3, the Video Voter Guide, an innovative, non-partisan television program that provides free media access to candidates running for public office in New York City, airs through November 3 on WNBC’s Digital Channel NY Nonstop, NYC TV Channel 74, and online. The Video Voter Guide is a project of the New York City Voter Assistance Commission (VAC) in partnership with WNBC and NYC Media, the official network of the City of New York.

The Video Voter Guide features recorded messages from candidates running for Mayor, Public Advocate, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council. The Guide provides candidates with an opportunity to address New Yorkers, explain their reasons for seeking office and outline the key planks of their platforms. Transcripts of the candidates’ statements in English and Spanish are available as well as Chinese and Korean translations for candidates in targeted districts online at www.nyc.gov/videovoter or by calling 311.

The Video Voter Guide can be seen through November 3 at noon on WNBC’s digital channel NY Nonstop. The same episode appears later that night on NYC TV Channel 74 at 8:00 pm with an encore airing the next day at 9:00 am. The Video Voter Guide can also be seen online at www.nyc.gov/videovoter and at www.NBCNewYork.com.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) participated in the Video Voter Guide by partnering with VAC to notify candidates about the Guide, encouraging them to participate and scheduling their recording sessions. The CFB is helping market the Video Voter Guide to voters through its Voter Guide transit ad campaign, and provides links in its online Voter Guide (accessible at www.nyccfb.info/VoterGuide) that connect candidate profiles with their videos in the online Video Voter Guide.

VAC worked with the consulting firm KPMG and the non-partisan Center for Governmental Studies to ensure the absolute integrity of the Video Voter Guide. KPMG served as the Guide’s official auditor, overseeing the minutes of production and developing a cablecast order that ensures borough equity, and the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS), a non-partisan non-profit organization, was engaged to make sure that the production of the Guide was open, fair and non-partisan at all times.

The role of the Voter Assistance Commission is to encourage and facilitate voter registration and voting by all eligible United States citizens residing in New York City. VAC is strictly non-partisan, and does not promote any candidate for elected office, political party, or political agenda. VAC’s mission is to increase voter participation, education and awareness in the democratic process.