With the help of New Jersey-born celebrities and sports figures, state Attorney General and Chief Election Officer Peter C. Harvey will inform young voters of changes in the electoral process and encourage them to vote through a series of public service announcements. On Wednesday, approximately 20 Montclair State freshmen will participate in an interactive press conference announcing the public service announcement initiative.

The press conference will begin at 11 a.m. at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, but students from across the state will view the event live via videostream provided by NJEDge.net, New Jersey's higher education network. The press conference also will be televised by New Jersey Network. MSU students will participate in the press conference from Partridge Hall, Room 114. Broadcasting student Desiree Cannuci will emcee the session.

"NJEDge.net selected Montclair State to participate in this conference because of our demonstrated commitment to the integration of technology in the teaching and learning process," said John O'Brien of Information Technology. "Montclair State is considered being at the forefront of educational technology, making us an ideal partner for NJEDge.net."

On Oct. 29, 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) became law. "This is an unprecedented and far-reaching law intended to improve the quality of every state's administration of elections and to encourage all our qualified citizens to vote," said Harvey. "As a public official and parent, I am sensitive to the public importance of encouraging our qualified, younger citizens, who are 18 and older, to partake in the most fundamental right we enjoy as a free society and to let them know they have an impact on society."