‘Rev the Vote’ campaign targets NASCAR fans, could increase Republican voter turnout

A new nonprofit is hoping to rev up motor sports fans to participate in campaigns and elections, seeking partnerships with racing giants like NASCAR and support from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in an effort that political strategists say could increase GOP voter turnout.

The campaign, called “Rev the Vote,” originally launched during the 2014 election cycle as a nonpartisan campaign to engage a passionate racing fan base in the political arena. The campaign, modeled after MTV’s hugely successful “Rock the Vote” effort, partnered with the Chamber to connect race fans with easy-to-use voter tools in their home states.

Although the campaign never made it across the finish line in the last cycle, organizers are gearing up for an even bigger launch this year and have already recruited two former congressmen — Reps. Connie Mack of Florida, a Republican, and Democrat Heath Shuler of North Carolina — for the board of directors.

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