In Ani DiFranco's new poem, "Grand Canyon" she says, "I love my country / by which I mean / I am indebted joyfully / to all the people throughout its history / who have fought the government to make right". This fall's VOTE DAMMIT! tour is an extension of that gratitude and a recognition that there is still much work to be done. Inspired by the low turnout in the last presidential election, Ani decided to tour through the "swing states" and encourage everyone to vote in this year's election.

In the spirit of this, like-minded artists and progressive politicians have joined forces with Ani to promote the vote. Former presidential candidates Dennis Kucinich and Howard Dean will speak at some of the shows. Most stops on the tour will feature a progressive candidate for the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. Comedian Margaret Cho will be joining Ani for shows in Minneapolis, Madison, and East Lansing while Suzanne Westenhoefer brings the laughter to earlier tour stops. Musicians and political activists Indigo Girls will perform as special guests at the New Orleans, Memphis, and Eureka Springs dates. Songwriter Dan Bern will open many of the shows as well.

The VOTE DAMMIT! tour will strive for 100% voter registration of the audiences. Feminist Majority Foundation will be spearheading the voter registration drive at the shows. Progressive Democrats of America and Rock the Vote will also bring the power of their volunteers on tour to register voters. Along with these national organizations, the tour will be joined by local and regional peace and justice, civil rights, environmental, and other progressive organizations to register voters and educate people about these issues. All organizations involved in the tour will receive tickets to use in their own registration drives and a portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will be donated to Feminist Majority Foundation.

The idea is simple: government is not just for the folks on Capitol Hill. We have the power and the right — hard fought for — to participate in the decisions made in our country. We need to participate for this country to be a true democracy. This November we get the chance to choose who will make momentous decisions in our name. This September we're getting together to laugh about it, sing about it, talk about it. Then we are going to Vote, Dammit!