This document discusses how social media has changed and will continue to impact political campaigns and elections in the United States. It explores how politicians now use social media to directly engage with voters, especially younger generations, and how advocacy groups are also utilizing social media to encourage civic engagement. By 2016, social media use had become a common campaign tool as demonstrated by Barack Obama's successful use of sites like Twitter and Facebook in his presidential elections. Future research questions consider whether social media changes how people think about elections and whether following politicians on social media makes people more likely to vote.

1. Bailey Petty
SOCIAL MEDIA AND
POLITICS: THE NEW AGE
OF CAMPAIGNS AND
ELECTIONS

2.  How has social media changed the way political candidates
interact with potential voters?
 How will social media continue to impact political
participation in the United States?
RESEARCH QUESTIONS

3. MEDIA, SOCIAL MEDIA,
AND ELECTIONS

4.  Media has always played a role in politics
 Social Media is changing the way younger generations
participate in politics
 Social Media allows politicians to be forth their agendas
directly
 Social Media provides an opportunity for expansive
conversation
 Advocacy Groups also use social media to encourage civic
engagement

5.  Barak Obama’s successful use of social media made sites like
Twitter and Facebook, a more common campaign tool.
 By 2016, every presidential candidate had an active social
media account.
2008 AND 2016 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTIONS

6. FUTURE ELECTIONS

7.  Politicians held accountable for their actions
 Can interact with voters in an informal setting

8.  Does social media change the way people think about
elections and politicians?
 Are people more likely to vote in an election if they follow
politicians on social media?
FUTURE RESEARCH