social media rocks the vote

Foursquare is stepping up to encourage civic responsibility. Because they know we'll do anything for a badge. 

this badge can be yours for a limited time!If you check in on Foursquare on Tuesday, November 2, you'll receive the I Voted 2010 badge. Purdy, ain't it? Absentee ballot voters, you can just Shout "I Voted" - but no cheating, guys! This is serious business.

Twitter users can use the hashtag #votereport when they vote, and the more info included in the tweet, the more it helps with the mapping and overall voting experience evaluation.

And the partnership among foursquare, twitter, Rock the Vote, Pew Charitable Trusts, Google, Voting Information Project, Engage and jess3 will result in a voting participation map that will create even more fodder for pundit speculation until the final results come in. You can track progress at most of these sites - or at http://elections.foursquare.com

Over on Facebook, Obama is promoting the Commit to Vote Challenge. It's a tad more labor-intensive (state your reason for voting then share with your friends) and then there's good motivation via a tally of people you've inspired to vote. It's a nice touch but will mostly appeal to hard-core political peeps or the I-live-to-compete-for-anything Dwight Schrutes and Rachel Berrys of the world.

So get your real life "I Voted" sticker or get your ltd. edition foursquare badge - just be sure to vote. You might as well participate... you're going to be standing in line staring at your phone anyway, right?

Update on 2010-11-01 21:25 by Lauren

Here are a few more helpful resources for registered voters:

Find your Election Center on Google (just enter home address)

Text "where" to 30664 and answer their questions (it's free)

The Digitel put together some info Charleston voters here - and they've established the #chsvotes hashtag if you're gonna be tweeting on election day.

Go forth and vote!

News Alert: SLANT employee is Mayor of Starbucks (239 King St.) and proves Foursquare IS valuable!

So get this. The SLANT team all got a hankerin' for some coffee around 3:30, so we took a break, braved the heat and headed down to Starbucks. The one on King Street. No, not that one - the other one.

While standing in line behind other caffeine-deprived patrons, SLANT Art Director, Will Bullock, pulled out his iPhone and checked in on Foursquare - as he is known to do. Then he was all, "Hey guys, I'm Mayor!"

Will Bullock, 239 King Street Starbucks Mayor (06.16.10)I know. Big deal - right? I mean, my Mayorships have dwindled to four (I keep telling myself quality over quantity, Al Di La is more important than the gas station up the street) but I do get a kick out of getting that message.

It gets better. Wait for it...

This Starbucks has a MAYOR OFFER.

It kinda brings a tear to the eye that a big corporation rewards a $500/month coffee habit with a $1 off coupon, one person at a time. 

So what if the baristas were slightly confused as Will displayed his mobile coupon and proof of mayorship. They pulled through and Mayor Bullock got his discount. And then bought the rest of us drinks to celebrate, which kinda defeats the purpose of a discount... but who am I to say no to free coffee?

Seriously, thanks Foursquare and Starbucks. You made at least one Mayor genuinely happy. People, look for a Foursquare Mayor Offer near you. 

Congrats Will - long live the Mayor!

Update on 2010-06-17 14:33 by Lauren

Ooh, Sports Authority is bringin' it:

Mayors of Sports Authority Get $10 Cash Cards on Foursquare