CNN’s Voters in America Series Examines Election Demographics, New Poll Access Laws

Army Veteran and Actor JR Martinez Narrates Vets Wanted re-airs Sunday, May 19 at 8:00p.m. and 11:00p.m. ET & PT

As the 2012 campaign for president of the United States kicks into high gear, CNN brings viewers an in-depth series on the issues that are most activating the electorate, and reports on how new voter registration laws may impact voters in the most contested demographic groups for November’s election.  Voters in America is CNN’s series of documentaries that will focus on the issues driving veterans, African Americans, and Latino voters, as well as how new restrictions on voter registration may impact voter turnout in November – both for these groups as well as for senior citizens, the poor, and college resident voters.

The first Voters in America documentary, Vets Wanted, premiered Sunday, May 13 at 8:00p.m. ET and PT on CNN/U.S.,and features narration by former U.S. Army infantryman and motivational speaker JR Martinez.  Vets Wanted will replay on Saturday, May 19 at 8:00p.m. and 11:00p.m. ET and PT.Multiple deployments interrupt lives, careers, and can lead to health and financial challenges.  Vets Wanted looks at the unique burdens for families of men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and follows the reintegration of members of the Georgia National Guard’s 877th Engineering Company back into civilian life.  Deployed to Afghanistan in December 2010, more than half of these veterans faced unemployment when they returned to the U.S.  The documentary also examines whether the bipartisan Veterans Jobs Bill passed in November 2011is of any help as our nation’s heroes make full transitions back to the lives they left to defend America, and offers insights into how veterans’ unemployment may impact their decisions as they head to the polls this November.  Iraq War veteran and founder of the veteran’s issues advocacy organization, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Paul Rieckhoff contributes insights from his experiences, and those of veterans from across the country, about transitioning back to civilian life.

In July, Voters in America continues with Who Counts, an in-depth look at how election law changes enacted in 14 states since 2008 may influence the election.  With a focus on the primarily partisan battle lines within the swing state of Florida, Who Counts dissects the arguments for and against new rules that may impact poll access for the elderly, students, and minorities.  Proponents of the rules changes argue that tighter restrictions on registration and poll access will prevent fraud; opponents say the new laws are confusing, unevenly written for different counties even within the same state, and intimidating for already disadvantaged populations.  Who Counts is narrated by actor Jesse Williams.

Users can find continuing in-depth coverage on the demographic issues and new voting laws impacting the 2012 election, including opinion editorials and articles on the issues covered in the Voters in America specials at www.cnn.com/inamerica.  For breaking political news and campaign developments, users can follow CNN’s Political Ticker via Twitter and visit CNNPolitics for additional content.

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