In 2008 only 122,394,724 Americans voted in the presidential election, that is less than half of the population of America. In 2008 the Census Bureau conducted a voting survey that asked a simple question. Why did citizens not vote? 13 % said they had a lack of interest and 17 % said they were busy that is a little over 84 million people’s opinion we did not receive.

This lack of interest has spurred an even bigger question. How can we get more Americans to vote and share their opinion on who the next president of the United States of America should be. One voter said a cash incentive might solve the problem. Though with the huge spending bill the government already has adding on to that would not help. Another voter suggested making Election Day a national holiday, but how many people are really going to go to the polls?

One suggestion was to create a program where children went to the polls with their parents and upon their parents casting their ballots the children would receive a sticker. If a parent gave their child an excuse for not voting, they would throw a tantrum, “but I don’t get to wear a sticker to school tomorrow”. This might shame a couple of parents into voting.

Though this is not the answer to this problem, making voting a seamless and easily accessible might be the way to get more Americans to vote. More than 180 million American’s own a smartphone. Why not make an app which would allow Americans to vote for their candidate directly from their smartphones? This would be as simple as just following a simple authentication process and then tapping on the picture of your candidate choice and you are done! This could easily shave 40 – 60 million people of that nonvoters list.

Also, over a 150 million Facebook users are American citizens. Imagine a Facebook app that would allow for citizens to vote. This could create an unprecedented social experience around voting. Imagine sharing that you voted on your wall or liking the app itself. If someone sees that their friend voted it will encourage them to vote as well! This could create an increase in voters.

Also if millions of Americans, including regular voters, started voting on Facebook or through an app this would have a positive impact on many things. Less paper would be used; the government would save millions on not having to set up voting booths, and revenue generation! If the government allowed for companies to have their ads integrated with the voting app, these companies would have an audience of over 100 million Americans!

A cash incentive or a toddle throwing tantrums is not the solution to this problem, by making voting a seamless experience achievable with a few taps and creating a social experience around it. More American’s would show up at the virtual polls.

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