Campaigns have gone from billboards in the sky to interaction in cyberspace. Besides being an online brochure for their campaign with bios and position papers, the use of e-mail has allowed candidates and voters to interact like never before. The Internet is starting to change campaigns because it provides and easy, direct link between the voters and the politicians. Campaigns can recruit volunteers online and send e-mails to constituents advising them of upcoming events in their area, etc. Another effect the interactive nature of the Internet has had on political campaigns is its use as a fundraising tool.
Voters can go directly to a candidate's site and donate to their campaign.
The use of online fundraising technology, such as the Instant OnlineFundraiser, has started to catch on in campaigns across the board. Now, anyone can take contributions online, securely, without having to purchase any expensive hardware or software. Voters finally have access to unfiltered information on the issues through candidate sites and other sites like the California Voter Foundation and Project Vote-Smart . These sites provide the voter with non-partisan information on the candidates, campaign finances, issues and political awareness. Online information sites, whether they're media or non-profit civic awareness groups, provide today's voter with more direct information than ever before.