The 2008 Wireless Election

With the 2008 election in full swing, we can add another benefit of wireless service to the already long list…DEMOCRACY! The benefits of wireless technology include staying in contact with friends and family, improving efficiency in the workplace and providing a lifeline during emergencies but now wireless services are allowing ordinary citizens to stay connected to the issues that matter most.

Public Affairs VP John Walls blogged last week about the Obama campaign's use of text messaging to announce his VP selection, and SMS in general is proving to be a  popular means of communicating in today's political world. It's become an extremely innovative and cost-effective way for campaigns to keep their supporters energized and reminding them to vote. A 2007 study found that text message reminders to new voters increased an individual’s likelihood of voting by 4.2%. Although that does not seem like a large margin, Tomi Ahonen notes that if the 2008 election breaks down the same way as the 2004 election, that 4.2% text messaging influence could make the difference in deciding the winner. As Mobile Tech Today points out, that’s why the Obama campaign has been aggressively using text messaging since the earliest of this year's primaries and caucuses, even announcing their VP selection directly to supporters through a text message. Additionally, news organizations are encouraging readers to sign up for mobile alerts of breaking news, enhancing the “24/7” news cycle.

No matter how this election turns out, wireless will be a staple of any campaign and election cycle. I think we’ve only begun to scratch the surface in how wireless can influence and encourage everyday citizens to get involved in the American political process no matter who you support in November.