Wash. to unveil voter registration on Facebook
Facebook users in Washington state will have something else to brag about to their online friends: that they registered to vote on Facebook.
Associated Press
Facebook users in Washington state will have something else to brag about to their online friends: that they registered to vote on Facebook.
The secretary of state's office said Tuesday it will have an application on its Facebook page that allows residents to register to vote and then "like" the application and recommend it to their friends. It's expected to launch as early as next week.
"In this age of social media and more people going online for services, this is a natural way to introduce people to online registration and leverage the power of friends on Facebook to get more people registered," said Shane Hamlin, co-director of elections.
Washington state has had online registration since 2008, and since then, there have been 475,000 registrations or changes of address processed through the system. Washington is one of more than a dozen states that offer online registration.
Hamlin said Washington state is the first to offer voter registration via Facebook.
"We are excited that citizens in Washington state will be able to register to vote and review useful voting information on Facebook," said Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes.
The state, Facebook Inc. and Microsoft Corp., which developed the application, have been collaborating on the project since last fall, Hamlin said.
Once it's live, Facebook users can click on the application within the secretary of state's Facebook page. They'll need to agree to let Facebook access their information, which will be used to prefill their name and date of birth in the voter registration form. Users will still need to provide a driver's license or state ID card number to continue.
Hamlin said that Facebook doesn't have access to the state's database; its page just overlays the application. Voters will also be able to access the state's "My Vote" site with specific information on candidates and ballot measures.
Hamlin said that beyond giving Facebook permission to use names and dates of birth, voters don't need to worry about their personal information being collected by Facebook.
"You are giving your information to us, not Facebook," he said.
Is this a good idea?
It still goes through the same vetting process. I don't see this as being any different than registering through the county auditor's webesite.
I don't see an issue with it as long as all of the information being provided on the application is verified.....
It probably links to the auditor's site.
Quoting Peanutx3:I do wonder if it has the same security as the auditor's website. I honestly don't remember what it takes to register to vote.
Quoting katy_kay08:It still goes through the same vetting process. I don't see this as being any different than registering through the county auditor's webesite.
LOL you are too smart katy_kay. I didn't even think of that.
Quoting katy_kay08:It probably links to the auditor's site.
Quoting Peanutx3:I do wonder if it has the same security as the auditor's website. I honestly don't remember what it takes to register to vote.
Quoting katy_kay08:It still goes through the same vetting process. I don't see this as being any different than registering through the county auditor's webesite.
Uh, NO, not a good idea.
This sounds like an ACORN idea for more fake voter registrations.
I wouldn't say that, it looks like it may be a new app. (should have not skimmed the article) but will still have to complete all the information. It does pose an interesting issue. You are granting the state permission to access your FB account and that would include your friends lists.
Quoting Peanutx3:LOL you are too smart katy_kay. I didn't even think of that.
Quoting katy_kay08:It probably links to the auditor's site.
Quoting Peanutx3:I do wonder if it has the same security as the auditor's website. I honestly don't remember what it takes to register to vote.
Quoting katy_kay08:It still goes through the same vetting process. I don't see this as being any different than registering through the county auditor's webesite.
Good point! Hmmm this is all new territory. Not sure I really want the state to have permission to access my information through friends.
Quoting katy_kay08:I wouldn't say that, it looks like it may be a new app. (should have not skimmed the article) but will still have to complete all the information. It does pose an interesting issue. You are granting the state permission to access your FB account and that would include your friends lists.
Quoting Peanutx3:LOL you are too smart katy_kay. I didn't even think of that.
Quoting katy_kay08:It probably links to the auditor's site.
Quoting Peanutx3:I do wonder if it has the same security as the auditor's website. I honestly don't remember what it takes to register to vote.
Quoting katy_kay08:It still goes through the same vetting process. I don't see this as being any different than registering through the county auditor's webesite.
Good thing I'm already registered to vote :)
Quoting Peanutx3:Good point! Hmmm this is all new territory. Not sure I really want the state to have permission to access my information through friends.
Quoting katy_kay08:I wouldn't say that, it looks like it may be a new app. (should have not skimmed the article) but will still have to complete all the information. It does pose an interesting issue. You are granting the state permission to access your FB account and that would include your friends lists.
Quoting Peanutx3:LOL you are too smart katy_kay. I didn't even think of that.
Quoting katy_kay08:It probably links to the auditor's site.
Quoting Peanutx3:I do wonder if it has the same security as the auditor's website. I honestly don't remember what it takes to register to vote.
Quoting katy_kay08:It still goes through the same vetting process. I don't see this as being any different than registering through the county auditor's webesite.
The Young Won't Buy ObamaCare
- Peanutx3
on Jul. 18, 2012 at 11:43 AM