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Students recieving txts more likely to vote
By Kyle Swanson Michigan Daily (U. Michigan)
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
(U-WIRE) According to a University of Michigan study, sending text messages to young people on or before Election Day helps get them to the polls.
A study released Wednesday by the University of Michigan and Princeton University found that young people who receive a text message reminding them to vote the day before an election are significantly more likely to vote than those who did not receive a text message.
In the November 2006 election, 4,000 voters between the ages of 18 and 31 who had recently registered to vote were sent a text message reminding them to vote. Out of the 4,000 participants, 59 percent reported that the message made them more likely to vote.
Those who received text messages were 4 percent more likely to vote than those in the same age bracket who didn't receive the messages.
However, not all participants had a positive reaction to the text messages. Twenty-three percent of the participants found the text message reminder to be bothersome.
Several 2008 presidential campaigns, including John Edwards, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, already offer text message reminders and updates to interested voters who sign up on their Web site.
A study released Wednesday by the University of Michigan and Princeton University found that young people who receive a text message reminding them to vote the day before an election are significantly more likely to vote than those who did not receive a text message.
In the November 2006 election, 4,000 voters between the ages of 18 and 31 who had recently registered to vote were sent a text message reminding them to vote. Out of the 4,000 participants, 59 percent reported that the message made them more likely to vote.
Those who received text messages were 4 percent more likely to vote than those in the same age bracket who didn't receive the messages.
However, not all participants had a positive reaction to the text messages. Twenty-three percent of the participants found the text message reminder to be bothersome.
Several 2008 presidential campaigns, including John Edwards, Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, already offer text message reminders and updates to interested voters who sign up on their Web site.
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