“To coincide with elections, we’re doing an awareness activity about voting,” he said, noting that his kids came prepped with a set of questions.

The activity, he said, also hoped to convey the importance of the youth vote, as well as the sway that “people of color” had.

Eighteen-year-old Douglas G. Ebenal admitted that while he was already planning on registering, the fact that he was personally asked to do so expedited the process.

As for who he intends to vote for come November, Ebenal placed his support behind President Bush.

“I plan on enlisting in the Marine Corps, and I would rather see Bush as Commander in Chief than Kerry,” he said.

And while Rock the Vote targets the youth vote, the drive attracted several parents who awaited the opportunity to cast their vote in the upcoming election.

Youssef El-Mejjasy, a Massachusetts resident of five years who emigrated from Morocco, said that this election would his first.

“I feel my decision will make a difference,” he said.

He plans to support Nader, El-Mejjjasy said.

“The Democrats and the Republicans come up with the same stuff,” he said. “I don’t feel a difference with the way they deal...with political life.”

And for some, pitching in the Rock the Vote registration drive will prove to be the closest one can get to participating in the election.

Katie E. Kinsey, a senior in high school and volunteer for Rock the Vote, ruefully confessed that she turns 18 this January, three months shy of Election Day. “I’m trying to live vicariously through others, I guess,” she said. “This makes it better, knowing that others are going to vote.”

—Staff writer Margaret W. Ho can be reached at mwho@fas.harvard.edu.