REPORTS REVEAL VOTERS ONLINE AND OPEN MINDED

Source: http://www.PoliticsOnline.com, click the headline:

A pair of new reports from the Pew Internet & American Life Project and Burst! Media, demonstrate more Americans are using the Internet during this election cycle than ever before. The Pew survey reports the Internet serves more as a town hall in the United States than an echo chamber as users are more likely to be exposed to a wide range of political views, while the BURST! Media survey released found that one-third of likely voters who regularly use the Internet have explored a politically related site during this election season.

Internet users surveyed by the Pew told the nonprofit group they were familiar with common criticisms of President Bush and Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry, and one in 10 said they were more aware of these criticisms than positive attributes of their candidate of choice. One in five told the nonprofit group they preferred to get their news from a source that challenged their point of view, and 30 percent said they had visited the Web site of a nontraditional news source. Eighteen percent said they had visited the Web site of an international news organization like the BBC or Al Jazeera.

Burst! surveyed likely voters online; subjects, all over 18 years of age, said they would "definitely" or "probably" vote on November 2nd. One-third of likely voters said they have clicked on a web advertisement for a political candidate or issue advocacy group during the presidential campaign. These clicks inspired action with nearly three in four of those who clicked on an ad going on to read additional information about the candidate's platform. Users also answered calls to action with nearly half signing-up to receive campaign email alerts, 42.8% watching a video ad, 31.8% making an online donation, and 21% signing to volunteer for the campaign.

Americans Click Their Way Toward Elections = http://www.clickz.com/stats/big_picture/traffic_patterns/article.php/3427901
BURST! Media Survey = http://www.burstmedia.com/release/press.asp?GoToPage=pr_10_28_04.htm
Pew Internet Survey = http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/141/report_display.asp