In order to keep up with all the latest news from the campaign trail, 7% of online adults friended a candidate or political group on a social networking site or followed them on Twitter. While candidates may see online outreach as an opportunity to connect with younger voters, this form of political action was not limited to young adults. Among adults who use social networking sites, just as many adults ages 18 to 29 (12%) as adults ages 50 and older (12%) friended or followed a candidate or political group. Voters who use social networking sites and supported a Republican congressional candidate were slightly more likely (17%) than those who supported a Democrat (12%) to friend or follow a candidate or cause. Among social network users who did not vote, 8% friended or followed a political candidate or group. Read More
Meet the Candidate (Online)
Russell Heimlich is a former web developer at Pew Research Center.