1. Social Media: The new political platform
Pat Almquist Deanna Alrutz Blair Brown Alexis Davis Elizabeth Sager Emily Tracy

2. Executive Summary
Social media is a constantly growing form of communication
Most users are in the age range of 18-32
25% of voters in the 2008 election fell in this age range

3. Executive Summary Could social media be used to influence voters?
A survey was conducted to determine perceptions of social media’s influence
The survey also helped determine if participants were politically aware

4. Executive Summary
Social Media can influence voters in elections because of reach
The average participant was politically aware
People trust online sources

5. First considerable shift toward new, nontraditional media
Voter participation among internet users increased to 12% because of sophistic websites and user-friendly means of online donation
The internet provided a new way to encourage people to vote and reach larger and different demographics
7 of the top 10 online chat topics were political
more than 6,700 new grassroots campaign sites appeared online after the 1996 election
2000 Election: Bush vs. Gore

6. 2004 Election: Howard Dean
Howard Dean’s campaign paved the way for political use of social media by introducing the first official blog and hosting political chats
The internet was used for a host of activities relating to the campaign trail, including event invitations for campaign meetings, relevant political questions, and options for money donation
The core of the population interacting with Dean’s social media accounts was young voters between the ages of 18 and 24; this is relevant because it meant there was a new way to mobilize the youngest constituency
An important aspect of any campaign is mobilization, and Dean’s staff was able to use traditional forms of campaigning for experienced voters while still creating new opportunities for first-time voters online

7. 2008 Election: McCain vs. Obama
Nearly 75% of internet users went online for political information or participation
Partisanship began influencing which sites people visited
Sites like Twitter became information hubs, allowing users to discuss politics with their friends
While Republicans were generally more likely to use the internet for political activity, the Democrats who did participate online were more involved than Republicans were, closing the gap.
Video and social media proved themselves to be extremely useful means of communication, especially with college students (and younger voters in general)
Blogs were used to generate interest, spread political info, and garner funds through online donations. College students active in social media were the largest source of online donations.
2008 Election: McCain vs. Obama

8. Research Questions
Are people using the Internet to be open to new political ideas and candidates, or are they using the Internet to target their favorite candidate?
Where do most people go online to find political information?
How much do people use the internet, specifically social media, to discuss politics?

9. Research Methodology Brief online survey using SurveyMonkey
Distributed via snowball probability sampling method
Initial 100 responses utilized for results

10. Research Methodology Survey questions included measures of:
Voter registration status
Political awareness/involvement
Political information sources
Influential effects of social media websites
Frequency of politics-related Internet usage
Perceptions of online reliability
The likelihood of following political candidates

11. Research Results Attempted to diversify student answers
We understood that non-voting students affect results
Most were politically aware and influenced by friends

12. Research Results

13. Research Results

14. Research Results 41% considered themselves somewhat politically aware
72.3% of students read political articles

15. Research Results
54.3% of students have voted in a political election for officials
42% of students access the Internet for political news

16. Research Results
30% of students would definitely follow their favorite candidate on social media sites
95% of students believe their friends can or might influence their political ideas

17. Research Results
60.2% students believe their political opinions can be influenced by social media
62% of students believe their political opinions can be sometimes be influenced by social media

18. Conclusions
After conducting our survey, we discovered that results were consistent with our hypothesis.
College-aged individuals access the Internet when they wish to learn more about a particular topic or politician.

19. Recommendations
Population size must be larger for more representative sample
Future studies should open the survey with a filter question
More qualitative research options
Case studies, focus groups, and unstructured response options

20. Recommendations
Population size must be larger for more representative sample
Future studies should open the survey with a filter question
More qualitative research options
Case studies, focus groups, and unstructured response options