Snapchat Launches Tool for Young Political Candidates

Snapchat Launches “Run for Office” Tool to Boost Youth Political Engagement

Snapchat is introducing a new in-app feature, “Run for Office,” specifically designed to motivate young adults to participate in local government. The company emphasizes that this tool aims to simplify civic engagement for its younger user base.

The primary objective of this initiative is to address the obstacles frequently encountered by young individuals when considering involvement in local politics.

Leveraging Information and Opportunities

This tool is powered by data from BallotReady, enabling Snapchat users to explore a wide range of potential roles in local office. These opportunities span various levels, including City Neighborhood Boards, Township Councils, School Boards, and State Representative positions.

The tool provides a centralized resource listing over 75,000 upcoming elections at the federal, state, and local levels, allowing users to identify those for which they are eligible.

Identifying Passions and Accessing Resources

Users are prompted to specify the issues they care about most. This allows the tool to suggest relevant roles that align with their interests.

Furthermore, the feature connects users with candidate recruitment organizations and training programs. These include organizations like Emerge America, Women’s Public Leadership Network, LGBTQ Victory, and Vote Run Lead.

Facilitating Campaigns and Providing Guidance

Snapchat users can even nominate friends to run for office directly through the tool. Sharing campaign stickers is also possible, enabling users to promote their candidacy within their Snapchat networks.

A personalized campaign hub is included, outlining the necessary steps to get on the ballot. This hub also provides crucial information regarding filing deadlines and signature requirements.

Addressing Representation and Encouraging Participation

Snapchat highlights the underrepresentation of young people in government, noting that only 6% of state legislators are under 35. The company hopes this initiative will foster a more inclusive and representative democracy.

With a reach of 90% of 13 to 24-year-olds in the U.S., Snapchat believes it is uniquely positioned to encourage civic engagement among young citizens.

Accessing the “Run for Office” Tool

The “Run for Office” tool is now available to all Snapchat users in the U.S. It can be accessed by swiping down on the app’s camera screen or by searching for it within the application.

Building on Previous Political Initiatives

This isn’t Snapchat’s first foray into political engagement. During the previous U.S. election, the company launched a voter registration drive.

This earlier initiative featured prominent figures like Snoop Dogg, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Barack Obama. Snapchat also provided tools to help users create voting plans and request mail-in ballots.