E-mail newsletters also are featured on most sites. Die-hard supporters will probably take the time to register to receive these. For those who do register, this gives the campaign your name, e-mail address, and the other bits of info that reside within. For instance, a candidate could design ads that only Democrats over 30 who have voted in three of the past five elections in the 3rd Congressional District of Maryland would see. Some political analysts question the effectiveness of digital politicking, but in close elections, the technology may make a difference in the outcome.
Contributions are another candidate Web site feature.
The one problem here is that direct credit card donations are not eligible for Federal Election Commission matching funds. Some sites are still taking them, but there is also a plea to contributors to send checks, which are eligible for federal matching funds. It is still early in the game, and it is hard to say what effect, if any, a Web site will have on the outcome of the elections.