Jott the Vote: Why mobile will rock your world and Election 2008!!

Whether your favorite candidate is Obama or Hillary or Ron Paul or any of the other candidates (Gravel anyone?), mobile will rock your world.

Initially, mobile and micro is about to rock journalismMindy McAdams reports:

I keep telling people that mobile is the next media explosion that will rock the world of journalism — but mostly what I get in response is raised eyebrows and skeptical little grunts.

I’m not saying I want to be texting tidbits all day long to all my many BFFs. No. I do not. My reasons for thinking “This is our future” lie in my environment: I am surrounded by 20-something young Americans in my everyday working life. On top of that, I have teenage godchildren who live in northern Virginia. Their lives and daily social practices are what lead me to believe that Owyang is correct.

The ideal platform for all these bits and bursts has got to be the device in your pocket or purse, or clipped to your belt — the one that buzzes or vibrates so warmly whenever someone has sent you a little something.

Well how in the world will this effect elections? (well it already is but…) Enter Jott the Vote to up the ante on mobile politics in Campaign 2008:

Jott the Vote is a service which allows anyone with a cell phone to call a 1-800 number and leave a message for any of the major presidential candidates. Users say the message they want sent, and the campaign receives a transcribed email along with the “live” recording of that message.

The messages will also be displayed publicly on http://www.jottthevote.com, which will serve as a social network for political engagement through the 2008 election.

For instance Andrew sent this to Barack Obama:

Hi Barack, I would just like to tell you that we need a President who needs to fight corrupt politics, and I think that you are the best choice because I believe that you will fight the corrupt people in the Government.

Jott the Vote is increasing the chance of one to one communication with the candidates. Consequently, even the geographically isolated and usually voiceless can get a voice (or text) in political public sphere. What do you want to tell the candidates about the issues you care most about? (Or better yet, send a text, which takes “the other” and our common humanity into account)

So, if you want your voice heard, check it out at Jott the Vote!
Also, for more extensive developer specific coverage you can go to Read/Write Web:

Jott has also released an API for Jott Links that will allow developers to create their own tie-ins with the service.

What do you think about the rise of mobile in politics and otherwise? How can it best be leveraged for human good? What issue(s) or candidate(s) best support humanity, empathy, and compassion?

thanks to derpunk for the flickr photo

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