VIP's Texting Tool Delivers Polling Place Information to Voters

Article By: Katie Hale & Amy Cohen Read time:
Projects: Election Initiatives
VIP's Texting Tool Delivers Polling Place Information to Voters

A new short code for the Voting Information Project (VIP) short messaging service (SMS) is now available to provide voters with election information via text message. Voters can text “VOTE” or the Spanish “VOTO” to GOVOTE (468683) to find polling places, contact information for local election officials, and registration website links. VIP makes this tool available to all interested organizations at no charge, and voting information is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese. Standard text messaging rates apply.

VIP also offers free tools that the media, political campaigns, and third-party groups can brand, customize, and release, including:

  • White-label iOS and Android mobile apps. Download and learn to customize them here. Both apps provide ballot and polling place information in English and Spanish, as well as text-to-speech functionality.
  • A free polling place look-up tool. The Voting Information Tool offers official polling place and ballot information and other resources in multiple languages. Learn how to embed the tool on your website or use the widget to customize the tool in a few simple steps.

VIP’s tools, including the SMS application, provide information for all elections that VIP is supporting. See the project’s election calendar for full details.

VIP, a project of The Pew Charitable Trusts, is a partnership with the states and Google to ensure that American voters have the official information they need to cast a ballot, such as where to vote and what’s on the ballot.

By sending a text message to Pew, you consent to receive voting information via texts from an automated system. This is a free service, but standard text message rates may apply. You may revoke consent by contacting Pew, including by texting STOP.

Follow us on Twitter using #electiondata and get the latest data dispatches, research, and news by subscribing today.

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Article March 1, 2016

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