Empowering Music Creators: ASCAP's Citizen Campaign Mobilizes Voters for the 2024 Elections

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) has announced the launch of the 2024 ASCAP Citizen campaign, a collaborative effort with the nonpartisan voter registration organization HeadCount. This initiative aims to motivate ASCAP's over one million members and their communities to participate in the upcoming elections, emphasizing the crucial role of policy decisions in shaping the livelihoods of music creators.

Amplifying the Voices of Music Creators in the Democratic Process

Protecting Creators' Rights and Addressing AI Regulation

With the ongoing congressional debate on artificial intelligence regulation, the 2024 ASCAP Citizen campaign underscores the importance of music creators engaging in the democratic process. Policy decisions, whether related to copyright law or new AI regulations, have a direct impact on the livelihoods of ASCAP's members. By mobilizing their community to vote, ASCAP seeks to ensure that policymakers recognize the significance of music creators' voices and their role in shaping the industry's future.The campaign features a powerful video showcasing ASCAP members, including Leon Thomas, Madison Love, Jimmy Jam, and Marcus Miller, who emphasize the necessity for music creators to participate in the democratic process. This message serves as a call to action, urging policymakers to listen not only to the songs of ASCAP's members but also to their concerns and priorities as active citizens.

Grassroots Voter Registration and Mobilization

The ASCAP Citizen campaign will leverage the organization's extensive social media channels to educate and inspire its members and their communities about the importance of voting. Personal messages from ASCAP creators across various genres, including Olivia Rodrigo, Alicia Keys, and Kehlani, will amplify the "get out the vote" message, further emphasizing the collective power of music creators as engaged citizens.In addition to the digital campaign, ASCAP Citizen will focus on grassroots voter registration mobilization throughout the summer and fall, leading up to Election Day. This effort will include early voting initiatives, such as partnering with National Voter Registration Day on September 17th and promoting Vote Early Day on October 29th.

Empowering Music Creators as Advocates for Change

"Whether it is protecting creators' rights through copyright law or new artificial intelligence regulations, policy directly impacts our members' livelihoods. It's vital for music creators to stay engaged with democracy, and that starts with voting," explained ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. This sentiment underscores the campaign's core objective: to empower music creators to become active advocates for the issues that matter most to their profession and their communities.By partnering with HeadCount, a respected nonpartisan voter registration organization, ASCAP Citizen aims to leverage the power of music to bring people together and amplify the collective voice of music creators. "We're thrilled to continue our partnership with ASCAP to empower music creators and their communities to vote in the upcoming elections," said Lucille Wenegieme, Executive Director of HeadCount. "ASCAP Citizen embraces music's power to bring people together – and music creators' power as advocates for making our voices heard."As the 2024 elections approach, the ASCAP Citizen campaign stands as a testament to the music industry's commitment to civic engagement and the recognition that the decisions made by policymakers have a profound impact on the livelihoods of those who shape the soundscape of our culture.