Mr. Herrera made the announcement alongside Charles Wright of the Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band, whose hit "Express Yourself" reached number 12 nationally 1971, agreed to license the City of Long Beach to use the song -- at no charge -- in a Public Service Announcements, LBTV I-Clips, social media postings and online advertising (including LBREPORT.com) as part of a voter awareness campaign for the City's upcoming April 8 and June 3 elections.

At a press event with Mayor Bob Foster and City Clerk Herrera in the City Council Chamber, Mr. Wright said: "When [City Clerk Herrera] asked me if he could use my song Express Yourself in the City’s election campaign this year, I thought it was a great idea. I think people should vote everywhere when they get the opportunity. It is our profound right. Get out and vote."

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster said that in a democracy, he considers voting a duty and certainly a privilege...and commended City Clerk Herrera for his efforts at increasing voter participation.

LBREPORT.com has on-demand video of the press event below. To launch video, click here or on video icon below.

City Clerk Herrera said that as a part of the effort, iPhone and Android apps will help voters know when, where and how to have their votes count in the Long Beach City elections. The apps will show where to find polling place, read the sample ballot booklet, apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, track where it is in the election stream, and see real-time election night results. Also, voters can share election buzz via Facebook and Twitter;

There'll also be cable and internet Express Yourself Vote Public Service Announcements, including the one embedded below:

A social media campaign will begin on Facebook and Twitter along with online ads on LBREPORT.com and other outlets.

150 Express Yourself street banner signs will be installed on key transportation corridors in each of the City’s nine Council Districts and interior placards will be placed in all LB Transit buses (in English & Spanish) along with 35 bus shelter ads.

Mr. Wright's music has been used in multiple commercial contexts including Chevrolet, Microsoft, Nokia and Kinko's internationally. The Kohl's Clothing Stores used the tune in its Spring Fashion Campaign.

Mr. Wright said in a statement released through the City: "When you vote, you express that you care about your city" and added "as a young man I recall how my family fought for the right to vote, and it is a right that should not be taken lightly."

Vote-by-mail ballots will begin flying in the coming days. Polling place election day is April 8. Voters citywide will decide the offices of Mayor, City Attorney and City Prosecutor [City Auditor has no ballot opponents] and City Council Districts 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Also on the ballot will be LB School Board districts 1 and 3 (5 had no ballot opponents) and Long Beach Community College District Trustee Areas 1, 3 and 5.