Hillary Clinton Launches Mobile Volunteering App
Hillary Clinton's campaign is releasing a mobile app designed to encourage supporters' involvement, drawing on the campaign's large staff of digital programmers as the general election against Donald Trump gets underway. Available in the iTunes store, the app encourages users to "check in" to rallies and televised speeches, share campaign Facebook content and take Clinton policy "quizzes." Users can compete with each other over the app and win merchandise for completing "challenges.", The Clinton campaign's aim is to connect with voters without requiring them to step foot in a campaign office. "Whether it's checking in at an organizing event, sharing one of Hillary's speeches with their friends, or showing their support with a commit to vote card, the Hillary 2016 app will allow supporters to get involved in ways that meet the demands of their busy schedules and personal preferences," said campaign manager Robby Mook in a statement. Trump has become an outsized presence on the internet, gaining widespread attention for his tweets, Facebook posts and Instagram videos, usually garnering more buzzgood or badthan Clinton. The Clinton campaign has been searching for ways to expand its online footprint through campaign-created alternative websites, videos and news. The 2012 Obama campaign used an app to assist its traditional organizing and the Bernie Sanders' volunteers developed an app called "Field the Bern" which allowed users to collect data during door-to-door canvassing. The Clinton app is aimed at engaging a wider circle of voters than its usual dedicated volunteers. The campaign said it was inspired by mobile gaming apps like Farmville and Hay Day and allows users to design their own campaign headquarters. Several of its designers have a background in gaming apps. The app also allows users to donate to the campaign through an app and find a campaign field office where they can volunteer.