YouTube is urging US voters to shoot video at the polls during the November 4 presidential election and upload it to a new channel on the popular video-sharing site called "Video Your Vote."

"Shoot a video of your experience at the polls on Election Day. Document the energy and excitement, as well as any problems you may see," YouTube said in a message today on the website of the new channel, youtube.com/videoyourvote.

YouTube said that the initiative, a partnership with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), was aimed at educating voters while "enabling the world to watch pivotal moments in this historic election as they unfold."

"This program aims to gather massive amounts of polling place video, with the Channel serving as an online library for Election Day footage," YouTube, a Google subsidiary, said in a statement.

"On November 4, the Channel will serve as the premier online destination for up-to-the-minute coverage from voters contributing videos straight from thousands of precincts across the country," it said.

YouTube cautioned, however, that recording video was not allowed at all polling places in the United States.

"Some states and counties have regulations against the use of recording equipment at polling places on Election Day," it said, urged voters to check their local rules before pulling out the video camera or camera phone.