Sen. Charles E. Schumer plans to conduct a statewide Internet lottery to distribute 350 tickets for President-elect Barack Obamas historic inauguration Jan. 20.
The inauguration of a new president is always an exciting event, Schumer said in a statement Sunday. But I think we all realize that this year is special. After an historic election season, and the extraordinary nomination of Barack Obama, it is time for America to celebrate the bright future that is ahead of us.
New Yorkers can enter the drawing through Schumers home page www.schumer.senate.gov or by faxing their requests to (202) 228-3027 with the following information: name, address, phone number, and number of tickets requested (limit 2 per request). No telephone requests will be accepted.
The deadline for submitting requests is Nov. 30, and the drawing will be held the first week of December.
Tickets for the swearing-in ceremony are provided only through congressional offices and are free.
More than a million people are expected, quite possibly more than the record 1.2 million who attended Lyndon B. Johnsons inauguration in 1965.
Schumer said 350 of the 393 tickets his office received will be distributed through the random lottery.
The senator is reserving 43 tickets for friends, family and staff.
Already, his office has received tens of thousands of requests.
Although I wish all of America could attend the Inauguration, there is only so much space, which is why we need to distribute these tickets fairly, Schumer said.
Some of the tickets already are being scalped online. Last week, hoped-for, not-yet-printed standing-room tickets to the ceremony were selling for $1,429 apiece on StubHub, an online ticket distributor.
Money may not buy the sought-after tickets despite the best efforts of entrepreneurs, who have tried to sell or auction tickets they dont have and may never get.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., is writing legislation to punish anyone who tries to sell the tickets.
eBay announced Thursday it will not allow anyone to sell inaugural tickets on its site.
The inauguration tickets, which bear multiple security codes, remain locked away until the week before the festivities.
Then they will be given to lawmakers to dole out in whatever way they choose, without having to disclose the recipients. The committee says in-person pickup will be required.
For those without tickets, lawmakers offer polite advice, which translates roughly as: Go away.
Many find it hard to blame anyone for trying to pull what strings they can, given the overwhelming demand for tickets and the historic significance of the first black chief executive.
The 56th quadrennial presidential inauguration festivities will include a parade featuring marching bands and other participants chosen by the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee.
The number of tickets available for the parade is unknown, but they also will be distributed via the lottery.
President Bush then will accompany Obama into the Capitol, and Obama will take his oath of office on the west front of the structure, a tradition begun by President Ronald Reagan.
West of the Capitol area, the unticketed masses will gather on the National Mall, with next to no chance of even seeing Obama sworn in with their own eyes.
Jumbotrons are expected to relay the images.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Obama will give his inaugural address, which typically outlines the presidents plan for the country.
Other inaugural events, including the inaugural ball, are off-limits to the public although public festivities are expected across the country.
Associated Press and News Staff Reporter Karen Robinson contributed to this report
