The League of Women Voters in Bakersfield (Kern County) recently completed filming a "Get Out the Vote" video with Kern County Auditor-Controller- County Clerk James Rhoades for broadcast on network and cable television. The video was produced in both English and Spanish.

The Elections Department, through the immeasurable help of Mr. Rhoades, not only underwrote the cost of the project, but also offered to help with voter outreach. Bakersfield League President Lois Chaney says, "We are thrilled to be working with the County Clerk's office to encourage citizens to cast an informed vote this November and to visit the Smart Voter website."

Two Kern County library staff members participated in the tapes, one for the English and the other for the Spanish video. League member Jesus Garcia, who took Chaney's part in the Spanish version, ended with "Recuerda--su vota es su voz." Garcia is also the "webjefe" for www.LatinoVote.com.

Edwina Davis of the Kern County Fire Department filmed and edited the videos. They include one of the four characters from the Bakersfield League's Puppets for Public Education project.

Leagues throughout the state regularly work with their counties' election officials through their affiliation with Smart Voter, <http://www.smartvoter.org>. However, in this case, countywide efforts didn't stop at the elections department, but included talented people from the library and fire department as well. A terrific collaboration on a great voter project!