While many traditional online news sources will host live interactive maps constantly being updated with the latest election results, some are opting for more social ways of tallying up today’s votes. Check out how a few of your favorite social media platforms are sharing in the election day festivities.
Foursquare launched elections.foursquare.com, which has a live map of polling place check-ins across the United States. The data can be broken down by gender and time of the vote, telling the Election Day story in a unique way. Foursquare users can also connect their account to the I Voted app, which taps into the Google Civic Information API to locate the right polling place and deliver ballot information. Fun bonus: Foursquare users who check-in to a polling place get a digital version of the “I Voted” sticker.
Instagram makes it easy to see a snapshot of polling locations, political attire and even some votes! (WARNING: Photographing / publishing prepared voter ballots is a misdemeanor in most states and could cause your vote to become VOID). Watching Election Day results come in with numbers and maps is one thing, getting a look at what’s actually happening at polling places around the country is another. Electiongrams, created by the NBC News digital team, collects Instagram images tagged with #NBCPolitics. Other brands are taking advantage of Instagram including BET Networks with #BETvote and Essence Magazine with #EssenceVotes. The goal? Tap into Instagram to show snapshots of life around America on Election Day.
UStream is taking a slightly different approach by utilizing citizen journalists around the country, providing a unique and independent lens on Election Day. Ustream has also partnered with Video the Vote to use mobile phones as a tool in the fight against voter fraud and disenfranchisement.
How are you planning on discovering today’s election results? Will you be posted in front of the tv, election watch party or our celebrating someplace else?
