May 28, 2013
NYC Votes, the voter engagement campaign of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC), will demonstrate a unique mobile platform to help more New Yorkers take an active role in city elections.
The first public demonstration of the app will be held on today at 4:30PM at the New York Law School Auditorium at 185 West Broadway.
The first phase of NYC Votes mobile platform will make it even easier for campaigns to connect with small-dollar contributors — enabling candidates to collect credit card contributions through their mobile devices, track their fundraising progress, and streamline their reporting and compliance with CFB requirements. New York City's Campaign Finance Program provides a $6-to-$1 match for contributions from New Yorkers, up to $175 per contributor. The public matching funds system is a model for reformers because it encourages more New Yorkers to participate in city elections, and allows their small contributions to have a big impact.
In the coming weeks, the app will be expanded to provide information about candidates and voting, as well as tools to communicate with candidates. The platform was built through volunteer efforts from NYC's design and technology communities, including Pivotal Labs, Method, and Tipping Point Partners.
CFB Member and VAAC Chair Art Chang said: "This new digital platform has the potential to revitalize New Yorkers' relationships with city government. We hope that these tools will help inform and motivate New Yorkers to not only head to the polls on Election Day, but to continue to be civically engaged."
Members of the press who wish to attend a presentation of this mobile tool, please email press@nyccfb.info.
NYC Votes is the nonpartisan voter engagement campaign of the New York City Campaign Finance Board (CFB) and its Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC). In addition to promoting voter registration, participation, and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships, NYC Votes sponsors the city’s official Debate Program and produces the citywide Voter Guide.