CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Actress Scarlett Johansson is urging young people to make their voices heard by casting ballots in the 2012 election.

The star of "The Avengers" tells the Democratic National Convention that less than half of all eligible voters between 18 and 24 voted in the presidential election four years ago.

The 27-year-old Johansson says that major issues are at stake for her generation, including access to health care, affordable college tuition and the guarantee of equal pay.

Actress Kerry Washington spoke with Johansson on Thursday night and described herself as the granddaughter of Ellis Island immigrants who could not have afforded college without the help of student loans.

The 35-year-old Washington says that people who don't vote risk losing basic rights that their parents and grandparents fought for.