FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               CONTACT: Elliott Jacobson
                                                                         (207) 761 1789 - Office
                                                                         (202) 460 1972 - Cell

October 28, 2002 - Portland, Maine - Urging the citizens of Portland, Maine to "Vote for Yourself", former United States Senator Mike Gravel (1969-1981) announced today that ballots permitting voters to vote for or against enactment of the National Initiative for Democracy were mailed by Philadelphia II to every eligible voter.

With the election for the National Initiative now launched in Portland, plans are in place to expand the election to the rest of the state and then the nation. Senator Gravel said "When Abraham Lincoln articulated his ideal government in the 'Gettysburg Address', '...a government of the people, by the people and for the people.' there were no procedures in the United States Constitution that could bring the people into government as lawmakers thereby creating, for the first time, a government BY the People" The Senator continued, "There is now a plan and a process to empower the People politically and it is being presented to the People of Maine for approval, starting in Portland.

The National Initiative for Democracy is a legislative package that amends the Constitution of the United States, and an accompanying federal statute that institutionalizes the People's legislative power through the use of legislative initiatives. The National Initiative does not alter existing representative government; rather it establishes a partnership between the People and their elected legislators and adds a check to our Checks and Balances system - the People.

Voters will be able to respond to the ballot either by voting on the Internet or by mailing in the completed paper ballot in the self-addressed, stamped envelope. Voters will be able to change their votes at any time before the election is concluded, which could be several years in the future.