MTV "CHOOSE OR LOSE" VOTERS PICK KERRY

The channel released results from its "Choose or Lose" poll, indicating that three out of four young people are registered to vote and eight out of 10 definitely plan to vote in this November's election. Those who responded favor Kerry over President George Bush by a margin of 46% to 40% heading into the final month before the election. Ralph Nader drew the support of 4% of those polled, and 10% were undecided/other.

Said MTV News & Production EVP Dave Sirulnick: "These poll results, indicating an enormous level of interest in this election, strongly reinforce the message of this year's 'Choose or Lose' campaign: that young people are more tuned in and politically minded than ever before."

The new poll is part of the network's "Choose or Lose: 20 Million Loud" campaign, which aims to mobilize 20 million 18-30-year-olds to vote this year. The poll was conducted by CBS News on behalf of MTV and The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE).

According to their responses in the poll:
*Three out of four young people think that this is one of the most, or THE most, important election in their lifetime.
*Nearly eight in ten voters under age 30 say it would help in their decision-making if a presidential candidate appeared on MTV to address issues that matter to young people.
*35% of those polled say the economy/jobs is the issue that will matter most in their vote this year.
*22% cite terrorism and national security as the top issue.
*15% say the war in Iraq is the most important issue.
*Education and civil liberties/civil rights round out the top five, with 12% and 11% respectively.
*49% believe that the United States did the right thing taking action against Iraq.
*45% believe the United States should have stayed out of military action in Iraq.

Also, voting begins today in the "Choose or Lose" section of MTV.com for MTV's first-ever PRElection, which was created to encourage young people to register and vote by offering those who participate exclusive music and videos. A unique dual registration system developed with Rock the Vote allows participants to register for the PRElection and the actual presidential election with one form.

Cingular Wireless, the exclusive sponsor of the "Choose or Lose" PRElection, is allowing its customers, and those on most other wireless carriers, to vote in the PRElection via text messaging. Users can text "VOTE" to 63520 to participate.

Also, a special "Choose or Lose" edition of TRL airs live at 5 p.m. today and includes an appearance by actress Drew Barrymore, whose directorial debut, The Best Place to Start, premieres tonight at 10:30 p.m. as part of "Choose or Lose" programming. Other upcoming specials include Choose or Lose: Sex, Votes, and Higher Power, premiering Sept. 29 at 10:30 p.m. and featuring Christina Aguilera as she explores sexual politics and its potential impact on the election. No, we're not kidding.

The "Choose or Lose: 20 Million Loud" campaign aims to get 20 million voters aged 18-30 to the polls in November and is comprised of special programming, PSAs, online resources, daily news reports, and grassroots partnerships.