Apps to help you figure out voting in New York's primaries
Voter's Friend gives users information about the candidates and more. Credit: Voter's Friend gives users information about the candidates and more.
If you're among those New Yorkers who are still undecided about whom to vote for in tomorrow's primaries -- or what a primary even is -- a few smart apps are here to help.
More than ever before, city voters can go to the polls armed with insight, as a handful of apps have emerged to help New Yorkers learn everything about the election, from who's running and who to vote for, down to details about the positions themselves.
Among those apps is Voter's Friend, which includes a bevy of election intelligence. Its creator said technology is helping voters make better-informed decisions.
"I remember on Election Day in 2008, I walked into the voting booth and felt like a total idiot," said Daniel McLean, who started work on Voter's Friend while getting his MBA at The Wharton School.
"It was so clear to me that technology could solve this problem," he said. "People who take the time to vote should feel confident and proud of their choices after doing so."
We've rounded up three apps that will help you learn about the election, decide for whom to vote and actually get to the polls.
Description: Voter's Friend aims to be an all-inclusive source to get you up to speed on everything you'll vote on and then help you pick out who you'll vote for. The app gives you tailored voting information based on your home ZIP code and party affiliation, then offers descriptions, accomplishments, endorsements and more for each candidate in each race you'll vote in. Users can even fill out a faux ballot to nail down their choices.
Description: Everything you need to know about voting in New York is contained in NYC Votes. The mobile Web app has information about all of the current races, an exhaustive and detailed list of the candidates and, just as crucial, a primer on the city's government, including roles each position plays, salaries and responsibilities. Find the answers to all of those questions you've had about this year's election but were afraid to ask. Built by the city's Campaign Finance Board.
Description: This answers a simple but vital question: Where should I vote? Simply plug in your address and your voting location will be returned. You can even delve a little deeper with the listed contents you'll vote on (based on party affiliation).
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