Engage’s Foursquare voting map shows what voters are saying in real time
The 2012 edition of the Foursquare voting map went live this morning. As it did in 2010, the map shows voters checking in nationwide. This year adds a new wrinkle, though: you can see what voters are saying in real time.
At the bottom of the map, you’ll find real-time comments from users (as long as they’ve sent them to Twitter). Many are simple “I Voted”-type shouts, but others contain more substance. It’s quite interesting to watch what people are saying about the reasons they’re voting and their take on the process of voting.
The map itself shows an overview of the states, where you can click a map pin to see the number of people who’ve checked in at the polls, along with the peak time and the gender breakdown. Zooming in to the map lets you see the same data for individual polling places (which Foursquare is pushing to the top of the check-in list today). A graph shows the volume of check-ins in the area as it ebbs and flows throughout the day.
Foursquare is, of course, offering a badge for those who check in, which has encouraged a higher volume of check-ins than you’d normally expect. More than 45,000 people have already checked in nationwide at 20,000 different polling places.
The map was built by Engage, in partnership with Foursquare, Google, the Voting Information Project, the Pew Center on the States, and the New Organizing Institute.
What do you think of the site?
