6 Apps to Get You Through The Presidential Election
Because keeping up on your own is getting impossible.
If you're daunted at the prospect of wading into 2016's political morass, we get it. The facts and fictions and stances and "pivots" of year's election cycle are about as transient as the stuff in your Twitter feed. Staying on top of it all is difficult, and often feels like a futile exercise. And the United States' political process? It's a pretty opaque and byzantine affair in the first place. That's where these apps come in. Whether you're in search of up-to-date polling information, someone to verify politician's latest soundbite, or just some politically-themed time wasting, we've got you covered.
VoterVoter
First question: do you know who you're voting for? Are you sure? If you're late to the game, uniformed and underwhelmed, or you want to consider all of your third-party options, you can let Voter steer you to the right candidate. The app uses sets of big questions (gauging where you stand on hot-button issues like abortion, the death penalty, legalizing marijuana, etc.) and a Tinder-style swipe interface to match you with the parties and candidates of your dreams. The app also has a useful compendium of candidate's biographical information, quotes, and campaign contributors.
Times Publishing CompanySettle It!
If we were feeling charitable, we'd say that this election cycle has been a little bit truth-challenged. It's hard to know what's fact anymore, but it's clear that people will fight to the death to defend their version of reality, which can make family dinners a little uncomfortable. Thankfully, this app from PolitiFact let's you fact-check political controversies quickly and painlessly right on your phone, so you can get back to your food.
Cory Renzella2016 Map
Digesting an endless stream of polling numbers is dry and tricky work. Understanding what they mean for the larger election, even more so. The 2016 Map app makes that work a little easier: it synthesizes daily polling data into an easy-to-grok live electoral map that shows you where each state stands, and how far the candidates are in their campaigns to gather 270 electoral college votes. Plus, the data is historical, so you can compare today's numbers with last week's, last month's, and last election's.
The Blu MarketTrump's Wall
Staying politically informed is exhausting work. Sometime you need to take a break and do something kind of mindless. This app's tag line is "Build it Huuuge," which tells you pretty much everything you need to know about its tone and its gameplay. The backstory is that ducks are pooping on Trump's lawn, so you need to help him build a wall to keep them off the grass. The whole thing is studded with Trump quotes to keep you motivated. If your wall tumbles, you are---of course---fired.
ThinkVotingVoterPal
Hang on a minute---are you even registered to vote? VoterPal makes the process pretty much brainless, and lightning fast. All you have to do is scan the QR code on the back of any state-issued ID (like your driver's license), which will populate your state's voter registration form with your information. Then the app emails you the form, along with your state's specific voter eligibility requirements. You still need to print, sign, and mail it. Would it be even easier if all states just let you register online? Sure. But this is government we're dealing with. One step at a time.
CountableCountable
The presidential election is only part of the larger political picture. As everyone saw again and again during the Obama administration, where Congress goes---or recently, doesn't go---the government will follow. Countable aims to help you keep track of what Congress is doing. After you tailor the feed to your location and political interests, Countable will keep you informed of upcoming votes, the primary arguments for and against bills, and your representatives' voting records. The app lets you show support for and reach out to Congress members directly. It also offers a basic social platform so other people can follow your activity. It's kind of like being a very tiny, very mobile-first lobbyist.
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Emma Grey Ellis is a staff writer at WIRED, specializing in internet culture and propaganda, as well as writing about planetary science and other things space-related. She graduated from Colgate University with a degree in English, and she resides in San Francisco. ... Read More
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