It's impossible to overlook the importance of the upcoming Presidential election. And regardless of your political affiliation, I think that's a statement we can all agree on.

A telling sign of how critical this election really is can be seen by the various organizations that have stepped up to spread the word. And while you might not associate World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with this type of cause, I'm here to explain why you should.

Suffice to say "Rock the Vote" is the most popular campaign that's targeted at getting young people out to vote. Now while there's no shortage of groups with a similar objective, I've got to admit none of them are as far-reaching as WWE's "Smackdown Your Vote."

Not only have they successfully made it a point to get involved, but they're having fun in the process. From a wrestling match between Fake Hilary and Fake Barack, to legitimate ads from the candidates, it's clear that the WWE has gracefully accepted their responsibility as an organization who reaches so many individuals on a weekly basis.

I can understand a level of confusion if you're not familiar with the WWE, because all they look like from the outside is a wrestling organization that profits from "violence" and "sex appeal." Well my friends, if that's the way you feel, I'd have to go out on a limb and say you're totally wrong! More so than any other sport (yes they fall into that category), the WWE makes giving back a priority. From their relationship with the Make A Wish Foundation, to constant trips to visit the Troops and so much more, it's simply impossible to ignore the overall good they do.

"Smackdown Your Vote" is just another example of making themselves socially relevant. They haven't chosen a side and are simply spreading the word, which gives fans an opportunity to learn and make an educated decision. Now if this doesn't sound like a big deal, you need to look a bit deeper.

Keep in mind some of the people in a WWE audience don't necessarily care to watch CNN, MSNBC or Fox News. They don't care to read the political section of a newspaper, and truth be told, probably wouldn't care to vote if no one made it a point. However, thanks to "Smackdown Your Vote," these people can learn a little something without doing anything out of the ordinary. Check out the WWE website and you're bound to find an intriguing story that'll link you to "Smackdown Your Vote."

In addition to the wrestling community, they've also teamed up with "Rock the Vote," "Respect My Vote" and even did a little something with "Respect My Caucus."

They're giving people information in a fun way, almost pitting the candidates against each other in a "paper" wrestling match. They've got activities lined up from now on through November, and odds are a whole lot of people will be voting thanks to WWE spreading the word!

Of course I realize I might be in the minority on this one. I mean not everyone will like the mixing of politics and sports, and that's what I'd like to know. Do you think something like "Smackdown Your Vote" is good for society, or would you rather keep the two areas seperate?

You can find additional information on "Smackdown Your Vote" at http://vote.wwe.com/

After writing the first spotlight on Run to Vote, I started digging in to find other examples of athletic-based election-time activism. It's a great and simple matchup-- sports are good for you, and so is participating in democratic processes. I ended up finding something that struck my interest a little more, not because it's a better idea, but because it raises interesting issues concerning both athleticism and activism as they transform to fit into the twenty-first century.

Microsoft is setting up a system that will allow users of their X-box live online video game service to register as voters in between games of Halo. The effort is being organized by the folks behind Rock the Vote, an organization that has been trying to mobilize young voters for over a decade. In a BBC News story on the project, Rock the Vote Executive Director Heather Smith said "To realise our goal of registering two million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are. There's no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live." Rock the Vote has a good track record-in 1992, they registered 35,000 new voters, most likely helping to create the 20% increase in young voter turnout for the presidential election that year. But aside from mobilizing voters, what effects will such a campaign have? In my eyes, it encourages users to live even more of their lives in front of television screens, limiting their own contact with the material, real-life world.

In his article about the rise of professional video gaming, Dan Treadway writes "Studies have shown that video games can help enhance players' analytical skills and make them more perceptive.", which I believe. The puzzle-solving and twitch-reaction elements of many games definitely provide some brain-exercise, but the brain is just one of the few hundred organs and muscles in your body that need regular exercise to ensure that they work properly. Playing some video games can be good for you. Voting is good for all of us. But Rock the Vote would do a great public service if they added a message to be displayed after users register to vote. It could say something to the effect of "Remember to stop playing video games and go outside once in while!"