In the final month before the election, the presidential campaigns are expected to dramatically intensify their voter outreach efforts. Even so, almost half of registered voters (47%) had already received some form of contact from one of the campaigns or groups supporting them as of last month.
Today’s presidential candidates are increasingly prioritizing social media outreach, while the role of campaign websites is shifting.
Overall, 16% of registered voters follow candidates for office, political parties, or elected officials on a social networking site.
Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz are among just seven major-party presidential candidates who have used online venues to announce entering the race since 2004.
28% of registered voters use their cell phone to follow political news, and 16% follow political figures on social media.
The growth of social media and rapid adoption of internet-enable mobile devices have changed the way Americans engage in the political process. An infographic provides a summary of the latest data from national surveys taken during the 2012 campaign.
Both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have received more negative news coverage than positive in the general election, but coverage shifted markedly when the debates began. Obama fared much better in September, while Romney had the edge in October, according to a new study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism.
Some 66% of registered voters who use the internet—55% of all registered voters—have gone online this election season to watch videos related to the election campaign or political issues.
Just as the presidential race is deadlocked, the candidates are running about even when it comes to the ground game. Voters report being contacted at about the same rates by each campaign. And neither candidate has a clear advantage among early voters.
Democrats are more likely to contribute online or from their cell phone, while Republicans are more likely to contribute in person, by phone call, or via regular mail.
