In the midst of presidential political conventions and television ads, it's a challenge for the
average voter to find objective information on the candidates. And for many of us, it's impossible
to find the time to keep up on candidates' platforms and current legislation. Recently, a new crop
of websites devoted to voting and political issues have appeared. These sites not only inform voters
of current issues, but they also make it easy for average voters to get more involved in the election
process.
Voting on the Issues
Sites such as GoVote.com and the
Women's Voting Guide match your political beliefs with the platforms of current candidates. The
process is quick and easy. You simply indicate where you live and where you stand on various issues,
submit your query and you are given a list of politicians whose platforms match your concerns.
Researching the Candidates
Once you have narrowed your candidate list, it's time for research.
Project Vote Smart provides numerous informational resources for voters, such as information
on voter registration, election dates and the track records of both federal and state politicians.
Although it has little interactivity, this site provides a comprehensive amount of information in
a very organized format. GoVote.com, which focuses more on the presidential elections, has full
profiles of all the presidential candidates, including video clips of their television ads,
positions on major issues and a detailed report of their campaign finances.
Participating in Debates
The Commission on Presidential Debates provides updated
information on the 2000 presidential debates, which will allow the most voter participation
yet. This year it will be possible to submit questions and comments online while the debates are
taking place. News sites such as MSNBC and
CNN will also offer online coverage of presidential debates and
even some coverage of the upcoming primaries.
Playing a Part
Once a candidate is elected, your opinion can still be heard. Websites such as
Vote.Com make it easy to play a part in the legislative process. This interactive website
allows you to vote on various issues, ranging from healthcare reform and government spending to
sports and entertainment. Your opinions are then forwarded to the appropriate policymaker, whether
it is your senator or the president. Other interesting features include polls on issues currently
in the news, chat rooms, discussion groups and current events articles.
This is an exciting time for American voters. The Internet has not only made it easier to be
educated on political issues, but it has made it possible for everyday citizens to be involved in
the political process in new ways.
Zahra Safavian is interactive art director for
Trahan, Burden & Charles, Inc. She has her master's in publication design from the University of
Baltimore where she is teaching a hypermedia class this summer.
