About
E-Voter Institute is a non-partisan trade association founded in 1999 to advance the interests of Web publishers and solution providers within the political and advocacy communities.
In order to accelerate the use of these powerful online tools, E-Voter Institute research and events focus on the convergence of politics and the Internet, and the opportunities and obstacles faced by candidates and campaigns.
Our mission is to help level the playing field at the local, state, and national levels in order to encourage more candidates to run for public office and contribute to a more robust democracy.
The historic campaign of 2008 showed it is no longer a question of is the Internet a necessary part of a political campaign but how to use the Internet effectively. E-Voter Institute salutes all the pioneers who fought to get a seat at the table in order to get the Internet included in campaign strategies.
Now the real work begins.
Aristotle/CompleteCampaigns.com Looks to the Future
As we start 2009, a big thanks to Jeremy Geltman, web designer, Aristotle International/CompleteCampaigns.com for all his help on the redesign of the E-Voter Institute site. Ben Katz, the new CTO, and his San Diego based team are leaders in the marketplace for innovative online campaigns for state and local candidates. Joining with Aristotle International in late 2008 will give this group wider exposure to political technology and US and international clients.
Watch this group as we move into the 2009 and 2010 campaign season.
![[del.icio.us]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Fark]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/fark.png)
![[Faves]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/faves.png)
![[Feed Me Links]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/feedmelinks.png)
![[LinkedIn]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/linkedin.png)
![[MySpace]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/myspace.png)
![[Squidoo]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/squidoo.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://evoterinstitute.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
Ameritocracy Challenges the Experts
I had a chance to meet with Porter Bayne founder and president of Ameritocracy which is a site all about rating and commenting on what others are writing. This is an extremely interactive site with tools for user-generated and user-contributed content. They are working on some exciting innovations and will be releasing some new functionality early in 2009.
Ameritocracy is looking for thoughtful feedback from those interested in current events, local news, opinions and facts. Check it out and add your own discoveries and voice to the discussion underway or start your own.
HCD Research Web Site Testing w/Eye Tracking
HCD Research uses a mobile eye-tracking system to detemine the optimal placement of graphics and copy within a web site in order to express the message clients are really trying to communicate effectively. The system pin-points elements of a web ite that attracted the viewer’s attention first and maps where the viewer’s eyes traveled as they viewd the web page. This identifies hot spots which indicate where viewer’s attention was held the longest.
This is a portable system that allows clients to use this technology with participants anywhere like a convention, shopping mall or trade show.
HCD Research uses this technology in conjunction with web-based quantitative tools to evaluate web sites and content.
Shock and Awe– Human contact in the age of the Internet
I have recently been reminded that the Internet is far more than a quick way to search for information or communicate with friends, colleagues and family.
The Internet is in fact a modern dimension of life and death.
Read the entire article on San Diego News Room published on December 23, 2008.
Shock and Awe- Human contact in the age of the Internet by Karen A. B. Jagoda
Mike Connell
-
Michael Connell, top Republican IT consultant, killed when Piper Supercub he was piloting crashed 3 miles short of an Akron Airport.
Michael Connell, top Republican IT consultant, killed when Piper Supercub he was piloting crashed 3 miles short of an Akron Airport.
While we celebrate the success of the Internet by the Obama campaign, the news of Michael Connell’s untimely death was a shock.
Mike was a prominent GOP Internet consultant when he perished in a fiery plane crash yesterday. http://www.ohio.com/news/36486224.html
A flood of memories came back to me from the earliest days of the E-Voter Institute when Mike stood out as someone who really understood how political campaigns were changing and how powerful the Internet could be.
I saw this news first on my facebook page in a post from a friend minutes after it happened. Somehow that seems fitting.
Mike’s wife Heather and the family have asked that all donations be directed to the Mike Connell Scholarship Fund for the benefit of his four beautiful children. http://www.eDonations.com/MikeConnell is where you can give online or find an address to send a check or notes.
E-Voter Institute and HCD Research Conduct Post Election Survey
Not content with our annual survey of voter expectations this year, E-Voter Institute and HCD Research conducted a follow up survey of voter expectations the day after the election. We received 3,500 responses and this time we know if who voted and if they voted early. Still working on the analysis but we see big jumps in interest by voters in Internet tools for learning about candidates and causes. Results will be released before the Inauguration.
Targeting Women Voters
E-Voter Institute Report looks more specifically at the women who represented 70% of the group of responders to the 3rd Annual Survey of Voter Expectations.
Comparisons between genders on Internet activity, political activism, and interest in news sources is augmented by details about the women by age, membership in social networks, and party affiliation. Surveys conducted with the support of HCD Research, with analysis from Chris Borick, Muhlenberg College.
Of those women 18-24, 92% use email, 85% expect candidates to have a web site, and 68% expect candidates to post their television ads on the official site.
Of those women 55-64, 96% use email, 86% expect candidates to have a web site, and 64% expect candidates to post their television ads on the official site.
Surprised at how similar the expectations are regardless of age?
Looking at party affiliation, of women self-identified as Democrats, 94% use email, 89% expect candidates to have a web site, and 73% forward links and email to friends and family. Of those women self-identified as Republicans, 94% use email, 87% expect candidates to have a web site, and 73% forward links to friends and family.
Tough to tell the difference.
Harnessing the Power of Social Networks: Campaign 2008 Taps Into the Virtual Grid
Social Network Grid
Report from E-Voter Institute looks closely at the 44% of the survey respondents from the 3rd Annual Survey of Voter Expectations who use online social networks. Compared to average voters, social networkers are 78% more likely to click on an online political ad, 56% more likely to read a political blog and 53% more likely to submit an email in order to receive information from a candidate.
A nearly equal number of active social network members (63%) say that television and cable ads are as effective as the official candidate web site (62%) to get their attention. The most active social net members tend to use traditional media significantly less than the average voter.
Included in this study are details by age, gender, party affiliation and level of political activism of these social networkers. Surveys conducted with the support of HCD Research, with analysis from Chris Borick, Muhlenberg College.
Rhetoric, Reality, and the Internet: What Do Voters Really Want?
Voting Day “Exit Video” courtesy of Kent Kriegshauser, Galesburg, Illinois.
Rhetoric, Reality, and the Internet: What Do Voters Really Want?
This E-Voter study is based on findings from the E-Voter Institute’s 3rd Annual Survey of Voter Expectations. Study surveyed over 4800 Survey respondents.
Report provides details about voters by gender, age, party affiliation, level of political activism, and technical competence. Of particular note are the comparisons between what campaign tools consultants think are most effective and what voters say are the best ways to get their attention. While television still has the most effect on how all voters make up their minds about candidates, the Internet is not far behind. This study reveals that television and cable advertising, debates, and the official candidate web sites are the most effective methods for getting the attention of voters.
Voters are tech savvy with a broad acceptance of Internet tools.
This study highlights differences in behavior in those who call themselves political activists compared to those who just show up to vote. Those highly politically active are more likely to take action online and have high expectations for how candidates should be using the Internet. It is clear the Internet is changing face of activism.
Surveys conducted with the support of HCD Research, with analysis from Chris Borick, Muhlenberg College.
Missing The Boat: How Political and Advocacy Communications Leaders Spend Campaign Funds
The E-Voter Institute’s 7th annual survey of political and advocacy communications experts reflects their attitudes about the use of Internet tools in campaigns to reach the loyal base and swing and Independent voters. The study includes recommended tools for reaching liberal activists, social conservatives, Hispanic, African-American, rural, blue-collar, and men and women voters. This study also provides insights into how political consultants are using the Internet themselves even if they do not always recommend online tools for their clients.
What are the real hesitations for spending more campaign funds online? This study says the consultants still don’t think they can find the people they are looking for online.
Surveys conducted with the support of HCD Research, with analysis from Chris Borick, Muhlenberg College.
