With the Pennsylvania primary and presidential election approaching, the Penn State College Democrats and the Political Science Association joined forces to run the first PSU Rocks the Vote yesterday in the HUB-Robeson Center's Heritage Hall.

"We wanted to appeal to students who like music," said Megan Green, Rocks the Vote chairwoman.

PSU Rocks the Vote was meant to combine music and voting in order to get students to vote; however, it was not in conjunction with MTV's Rock the Vote, College Democrats' President Jessica Hopkins said.

Since this was the first year Penn State did such an event, the College Democrats and Political Science Association made sure to promote the registration drive as much as possible, Hopkins said.

They passed out flyers and put them in student's mailboxes.

"With presidential elections in November, we need more interest in voting ... 18- to 30-year-old age group are the least likely to vote in the U.S.," Green said.

The drive, which was attended by about 100 students, was for students to either register to vote or fill out a voter track form so those already registered could be reminded to vote or be sent absentee ballot information, said Stephanie Bryant, Political Science Association member.

Once registered to vote, a student can vote anywhere in the state but students have to remember to have the location on their registration changed in advance of voting, Green said.

Many students found that it was worth their time to register to vote.

"It was quick and easy. I wasn't sure how to vote before and I read around campus that there was a drive; it just took five minutes," Lindsay Pierce (sophomore-art) said.

Many students registered throughout the night and got to enjoy the bands and performers that were playing which included Mo Green Special; Chris Gibbons; Dr. Naqleus; Birdie; and Dramatic Oil Company.

The Political Science Association started voter registration in February, but wanted to hold an event that would promote registration, Bryant said.

"We read that the College Democrats wanted to hold an event also and we thought that was great," she added.

Voter registration is the main goal of the Political Science Association and the College Democrats took care of the concert and organizing the event, Bryant said.

Students who attended PSU Rocks the Vote said they registered for many different reasons.

"[I registered] so I have the right to complain and when elections come around I can criticize the president rightfully," said Mark Marasco (sophomore-accounting).

Other students said they just thought registering was part of helping the community.

"It's important for people to get involved in their community and registering is part of being a college student," Armand Silva (freshman-geography) said.

Even if students were not able to make it to the drive, they can still register on the Internet, Bryant said. "Everyone is smart enough to do it."