Foursquare is already well known in the social media world, and this November the mobile application that features local social networking is covering the midterm election, social media style. Teaming up with JESS3 for their project design, Foursquare’s election coverage site will feature a map of the U.S. that features Foursquare check-ins at over 100,000 polling locations nationwide. These check-ins will be listed in total as well as listed by how many polling locations checked in and by gender. Of course, users who check in will receive an “I Voted” Foursquare badge. The project is a collaborative effort, not just between Foursquare and JESS3, but includes a number of organizations, including MTV’s Rock the Vote, PEW, Google, the Voting Information Project, engage, and Twitter #VoteReport.
Social Media has caused a lot of people to rethink ways of doing business, connecting with people, and even just going about their daily lives. Social media giants like Facebook and Twitter have already had some experience with election coverage back in 2008, and Foursquare’s introduction to the voting world is another demonstration of the power that social media can have. Since this is Foursquare’s first time covering an election of this magnitude, this also seems to be somewhat of a trial run for what will surely be spectacular coverage of the elections in 2012. The Foursquare election coverage site will launch on November 2nd, and its impact will surely be seen by all.
Written by Brennan Mack