According to the First Annual Voter Expectations Survey from E-Voter and HCD Research, an overwhelming majority of voters responding expect candidates to use online technology as part of their campaign efforts. 87 percent expect they will have a Web site, and 70 percent expect the use of email.
Two-thirds expect candidates to use the Internet for fund raising, post video commercials on his or her website and run online ad campaigns, while half expect campaigns to have blogs and podcasts.
Karen Jagoda, founder and president of E-Voter Institute, concludes that "When a majority of voters expect candidates to use web-based tools for fund raising, communicating with the loyal base, persuasion, and getting out the vote, the Internet is no longer an afterthought in planning a winning campaign."
While respondents continue to see TV ads as the most effective way for campaigns to reach them, email and websites are ranked higher than traditional methods such as phone and radio ads.
Glenn Kessler, CEO, HCD Research, said "... we knew that the Internet was a growing force in the political process... (but) had no idea that the shift was happening so quickly... "
Findings from E-Voter Institute, captured by eMarketer, suggest best e-ways for candidates to reach voters.
Best Methods for Political Candidates to Get Voter Attention (May, 2008) | |
Medium | % of Respondents |
TV or cable ads | 63% |
Debates | 57 |
Official website | 51 |
Word-of-mouth | 39 |
Direct mail | 31 |
Newspaper ads | 29 |
Radio ads | 26 |
Online ads | 25 |
E-mail from candidate or celeb | 22 |
Webcasts | 29 |
Yard sign & billboards | 20 |
Independent blogs | 16 |
Social networking sites | 15 |
Viral video | 14 |
Phone | 9 |
Text | 5 |
Source: E-Voter Institute, August 2008 |
For more information, please visit E-Voter Institute here.