President Obama's campaign launched a new smartphone app to encourage grassroots support and connect the campaign with volunteers and voters.
The new app, which is available for iPhones on Tuesday and Android devices shortly, is designed to deliver information and organizing materials directly to voters, according to the campaign.
“As we push through the last 100 days of this election, our focus remains on helping make grassroots organizing as easy and accessible as possible for the volunteers and supporters that are the heart and soul of this campaign. That’s why we designed our new app to help break down the distinction between online and offline organizing,” said Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter in a statement.
Specifically, the app will list local phone banks, volunteer events and allow users to canvass neighborhoods using their smartphones.
The campaign said it will also provide information on registering to vote and where and when to vote on Election Day, as well as state-specific information.
On Monday, the Obama team released a video touting the support of grassroots volunteers and drumming up excitement for the campaign to mark 100 days until the November election. Obama's 2008 campaign received a wide swath of public involvement and donations and was credited with using innovative social media tactics.
Both presidential campaigns are trying to harness to power of social media and technology in the approaching election. The Obama app announcement came on the same morning that challenger Mitt Romney's campaign released its own app.
Romney supporters that download the app will be the first to learn of the presumptive GOP nominee's vice presidential choice. The Obama campaign sent a text message to supporters announcing the selection of now-Vice President Joe Biden during the 2008 race.
