By Amanda Laborio

About 400 people registered to vote during an around-the-clock, 60-hour Lexington event over the weekend, said an event organizer.

During Lexington Operation Voter Madness, volunteers went throughout the city between 10 a.m. Thursday and 10 p.m. Saturday to register voters for the Nov. 4 election, said Dave Newton, voter empowerment organizer for Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, the sponsor of the event.

Volunteers went to grocery stores, late-night restaurants, a bowling alley and other locations to register people before Monday, Kentucky’s deadline to register for the upcoming election.

Event participants used Voter Madness to register as many people as possible, said Joe Gallenstein, president of the UK College Democrats and a participant in the event.

“Students cannot make their voices heard if they do not vote,” said Gallenstein, a history and political science senior. “Your vote is your voice, and we have the ability to elect candidates who care about campus issues, as well as other issues affecting our state.”

Concert for the Commonwealth on the Student Center patio capped off Voter Madness.

During the Saturday night concert, volunteers helped people register to vote on the candlelit patio while listening to Lexington bands Varsovia, Devine Carama, and Groove Manifesto.

“I think that bands were a great way to get people’s attention and then they were able to register,” said Kelsey Kennedy, an elementary education senior who attended the concert. “More students should come out and support these events which will in turn support our democracy.”

The concert was hosted by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, UK Greenthumb and WRFL. Events that raise awareness will make a difference in an important election year, said English education junior Matt Kramer.

“Too often young people in this country don’t understand the importance of voting and the difference their votes can make politically,” said Kramer, a Greenthumb officer. “With this year’s presidential election being so tight, every vote, even in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, will have an impact.”