Technology boosts voter engagement in Houston’s Black community

With less than three weeks until the 2024 election, mobile apps and digital platforms are playing a vital role in reshaping voter engagement, especially within Houston’s Black community. Technology is proving to be a game-changer in empowering traditionally underserved voters by simplifying voter registration, streamlining the process of finding polling places, and educating the public about candidates.

The Impact of Digital Voter Engagement

Mobile technology has led to the rise of civic engagement apps like Activote for voter research, InfoVote for voter awareness, MOXY for voter empowerment, and the website When We All Vote, gaining popularity among Black voters in Houston. These platforms enable users to check their voter registration status, locate polling stations, and receive election reminders, all from their smartphones. Organizations such as the NAACP and Black Voters Matter have also embraced these tools to mobilize voters in the face of misinformation and voter suppression concerns.

“I found out I wasn’t registered to vote through an app, and it helped me get everything straightened out before the deadline,” said Jasmine Mitchell, a Houston resident. “In past elections, I’d miss deadlines or forget to update my information, but now it’s all right there on my phone.”