In 2008 “A record-breaking 46% of Americans have used the internet, email or cell phone text messaging to get news about the campaign,” this according to Pew Research study. With so many Citizens using the internet to talk to each other and get news, shouldn’t our elected officials be communicating with us using email?
I made the rounds of my elected official’s websites to see how well they were communicating with “we the people”
Federal
President George Bush (R)
Pros: Confirmation page and confirmation email. (only site to have double opt in).
Cons: No front page opt in so hard to find out where to subscribe, double opt in message flagged as spam.
President-elect Barack Obama (D)
Pros: Opt in box on the front page, only requires my email and zip code, confirmation page (with ability to invite friends) and confirmation email.
Cons: None
Senator Arlen Specter (R)
Pros: The opt in box is on the front page and he has a list of past newsletters.
Cons: Requires both first and last name, no confirmation email
Senator Bob Casey (D)
Pros: Opt in box on front page, also has an action center with a petition where you can submit your email address.
Cons: Unfortunately the system was down and I got an error when I hit submit (otherwise he would have ranked on top of the list. Requires first and last names.
Congressman Joe Pitts (R) 16th district
Pros: Opt in box on home page
Cons: Triple opt in, once you hit submit an email is generated which you have to reply to with a command, after following the instructions I got a reply email saying my command wasn’t valid. Generated emails do not say who they are from.
State
Governor Ed Rendell (D)
Pros: Has opt in box on home page, only requires an email address.
Cons: No confirmation page or email confirmation that your submission has been processed. i.e. I don’t know if I’m signed up yet.
Senator Mike Brubaker (R) 36th district
Pros: Link from home page and sends a confirmation email.
Cons: No opt in on the front page, only a link. Requires first and last names, confirmation email flagged as spam by google mail.
Rep Scott Boyd (R) 43rd district
Pros: Link from home page (quick to respond to suggestion of having a monthly newsletter)
Cons: No opt in box on the front page. Required fields are: First name, last name, address, home phone, work phone, email, zip code, county, government priorities.
Visit your elected officials and see how good a job they do communicating wit you. Post results in the comments.
cross posted at TechRepublican.com
