• by Ross Fadner , January 19, 2004

America Online retooled its Elections Guide 2004 just in time for avid politicos with their eyes trained on Monday's Iowa caucus and the forthcoming New Hampshire primary. Launched last week, the AOL Elections Guide 2004 aims to provide voters with comprehensive multimedia coverage of local and national races, as well as a means to express political views.

The site features audio and video clips and content via magazine and newspaper partners including The New York Times, USA Today, Time Warner's Time Magazine and news wires. The service is available to non-members, but AOL members have the ability to customize an Election Guide home page and have access to other features.

The Guide offers polls and a President Match tool that helps voters choose the right candidate for them. AOL members can express their support for their candidates of choice through campaign Buddy Icons, and participate in online debates and a state-by-state Virtual Primary poll.

"AOL Elections Guide 2004 is a one-stop info. site in the sense that it is for both the casual observer and the political junkie," says Lewis D'Vorkin, vice president of news, AOL. A spokeswoman said the non-partisan site is accepting ads from all candidates and parties. "While you may see an ad from Dean's campaign one day, there could be a Kerry or Republican or Bush-sponsored ad another day," said AOL's Amy Gross.