With less than three weeks until the 2024 election, mobile apps and digital platforms are playing a pivotal role in reshaping voter engagement, particularly within Houston’s Black community. From simplifying voter registration to streamlining the process of finding polling places and educating the public about candidates, technology is proving to be a game-changer in empowering traditionally underserved voters.
The rise of digital voter engagement
With the rise of mobile technology, civic engagement apps like Activote (for Voter research), InfoVote (Voter awareness), MOXY (Voter Empowerment) and the website, When We All Vote have gained traction among Black voters in Houston. These platforms allow users to check their voter registration status, locate polling stations, and receive reminders about upcoming elections—all from their smartphones. Organizations such as the NAACP and Black Voters Matter have also adopted these tools to mobilize voters in an era where misinformation and voter suppression remain concerns.
“I found out I wasn’t registered to vote through an app, and it helped me get everything straightened out before the deadline,” said Jasmine Mitchell, a Houston resident. “In past elections, I’d miss deadlines or forget to update my information, but now it’s all right there on my phone.”
Boosting turnout through tech
Research shows that the use of mobile apps and digital platforms has been linked to an increase in voter turnout within Black communities.
In 2020, which saw Texas’ highest turnout percentage this century and a record number of raw votes, Texas still found itself in the bottom handful of states for turnout.
“The problem isn’t just registration, the problem is turnout of registered voters,” said Mike Doyle, chair of the Harris County Democratic Party. “The key is finding a way to turn out voters.”
Turnout for presidential primary elections is historically low in Texas. The Secretary of State reports that in 2020, 12.44% of registered voters cast ballots in the Republican primary and 12.92% turned out on the Democratic side. In 2016, 19.92% of Republicans and 10.08% of Democrats cast ballots.
“Our American democracy is one of a kind and works best when everyone participates,” said Katie Campbell Shumway, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters.
In Houston, local organizations have embraced platforms like TurboVote, which sends text messages with information on deadlines and polling locations. MyVoteTexas, another popular tool, provides non-partisan information on candidates and ballot measures, ensuring voters can make informed decisions at the polls.
This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship Lab. The Lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.
