Moving to the mainstream: web-based political communications on the road to 2008

Summary of Survey Findings

Published by: E-Voter Institute, 2006
Via: Docuticker

This document is a summary of the E-Voter Institute's 2006 research and findings from the fifth annual survey of political and advocacy communication leaders and the firts annual survey of voter expectations. The findings include:

• There is an increasing awareness that web-based tools are complementary totraditional campaigning techniques and are being accepted as part of the arsenal to win elections.
• With changes in technology and a steep learning curve, consultants are taking a more practical view towards the Internet and trying to determine what tools are most effective for reaching different audiences.
• Voters see more control in mass media messages than in personal communications from campaigns. Consultants spend money on techniques with an emphasis on personal communications that they can control.
• A variety of sites were used for online advertising, particularly popular were sites related to traditional media properties.
• Getting voters’ attention requires more than television, phone and radio.
• The Internet has become a trusted news source.
• Internet users of all ages are actively looking for information and sharing what they find.