Local performers, political candidates and The Format will be featured tonight on University Boulevard at an ASUA-sponsored block party to promote voter registration.

Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Erin Hertzog said the UA Votes 2006 block party is the first of its kind at the UA and will be thrown as a final kickoff of a week-long effort to register student voters.

Throughout the week, ASUA members and volunteers have worked tirelessly at registering voters, making classroom appearances, advocating voting on the UA Mall during the day, and at the Student Recreation Center at night, Hertzog said.

The overall goal for the entire campaign was to register about 4,000 students to vote, Hertzog said.

As of Wednesday, the number of registered voters had exceeded 1,500, with 1,000 more expected to register at the block party.

“”I don’t think we will have any problem achieving our goal (of 4,000),”” Hertzog said.

Kristen Maryn, ASUA special events director, said the focus of the block party will be to activate and educate students about the voting process.

Even students who are not planning to vote can go and listen to music and learn about current political issues, Maryn said.

Political candidates from both sides of the spectrum will be present at the party to discuss issues important to their respective platforms.

“”We really needed to stay unbiased in our selection of candidates,”” Maryn said. “”Both Democratic and Republican candidates were invited.””

Additionally, Hertzog said some Main Gate venues will be offering free gifts and discounts with a valid voter registration card or proof of registration, although she could not confirm exactly which venues will be participating.

“”University Boulevard provides us with a unique atmosphere for an event such as this because of the proximity to restaurants and stores,”” Hertzog said.

The Format will perform on the main stage, located on North Tyndall Avenue and University Boulevard.

A second stage will be located within the Geronimo Plaza on University Boulevard, featuring student performances from tap-dancing group Tap Cats, break-dancing act Les Avenge and comedy from The Charles Darwin Experience.

Local performers Brian McGrath, Jet Lag and Double Top will also share the second stage.

Caroline Schiller, a freshman majoring in French who plans to attend, said she likes finding out about new music.

“”It sounds like a really fun event,”” Schiller said.

Maryn and Hertzog said the expenses of the block party were divided between the budgets of ASUA’s cabinets and departments, such as the Arizona Students’ Association.

Maryn said since the budget is divided, ASUA will not have a concrete figure of the expenses until after the event.

The event will be the result of planning that began in August.

The biggest obstacles involved obtaining permits for sound ordinances and working out the details of street barricades, Maryn said.

“”This is our first time having an outdoor show like this, and we will only improve from here,”” Maryn said.

Jacob Rader, a mechanical engineering junior, said that because he is not a huge fan of The Format, he will not be going to the block party.

“”The block party sounds kind of cool, but I really only like one song from The Format,”” Rader said.

Melinda Englert, a journalism sophomore, said it is great that The Format frequents the UA.

“”They seem pretty into the college scene,”” Englert said. “”Coming here so often shows that they aren’t too big or too good for us.””

The Format, originally from Phoenix, visited the UA in November. They will begin performing at 7:45 p.m.

The block party will begin at 5 p.m. and last until 9 p.m.