The Growth & Impact of Smart Voter
by Kathleen Weisenberg
Smart Voter (www.smartvoter.org) is the League of Women Voters unique Internet-based election guide which revolutionizes the way voters get nonpartisan information on candidates and issues.
A Field Poll found that of the 15 million registered voters in California, 42% had e-mail addresses in April 1998. By October 1998, just six months later, that number had increased 10%-to 52%. Another six months have passed and I would guess that number has risen another 10% or more. The Internet is where these citizens expect to get their information.
Smart Voter provides single-click access to a ballot customized for your address. Simply key in your address and you get:
- a complete personalized ballot-local, state and national
- comprehensive statements from local candidates - local ballot measures and state propositions - polling place lookup with map
- election returns
Smart Voter brings one-stop shopping to voters seeking election information and makes a significant difference in the lives of voters, candidates and election officials. - Voters get free personalized non-partisan ballot information and polling place locations whether at home or abroad. Candidates get a free website, raising their visibility in the community and giving equal access for low budget campaigns. Registrars of Voters get help to register voters, look up polling places, and supply absentee ballots.
Smart Voter makes an enormous difference to Leagues by:
- raising the visibility of the League
- increasing diversity
- reaching younger voters
- increasing voter participation rates
- forging new links with local officials
- supporting the League's mission and diversity goals
- helping Leagues move into the information age.
Started in 1996, Smart Voter has now been fully implemented in 17 counties in 5 states. We've worked out the kinks and are now ready to expand to all 58 California counties by the November 2000 election, to a year-round service, connecting citizens with their elected officials, and hosting community-based discussions on issues.
Smart Voter received an award as a finalist in the Global Bangemann Challenge, a Swedish based international awards program for innovative technology. (See Smart Voter article in section "News From Around the Region.")
We need you to:
- Join the Smart Voter counties
- Educate all your LWV friends nationwide about the benefits of Smart Voter and brag about our international recognition.
To become a Smart Voter County, contact our Project Director, Trudell Een, at (408) 323-9611 or e-mail her at: (TrudellEen@aol.com.) We look forward to working with you.
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© Copyright 1999 by the League of Women Voters of California
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