Facebook registers 2.5 million voters ahead of US election
Facebook says it has registered 2.5 million voters ahead of the November general election from Facebook, Instagram and Messenger.
The number puts the social media giant more than halfway to its goal of registering 4 million voters ahead of 3 November, and surpasses the 2 million it says it managed in 2016 and 2018 elections.
Facebook says it calculated the figure from data provided by partner states.
The announcement came as the tech firm highlighted its “week of action” around National Vote Registration Day on Tuesday.
“With six weeks until Election Day and registration deadlines fast approaching in many states, this week we’re putting the full force of our platform behind this campaign to empower every eligible voter to make their voice heard in this election,” Facebook wrote in a blog post.
The company is now showing US users information about how to register and vote at the top of the Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger apps.
Facebook will run a “vote-a-thon” on Tuesday featuring celebrities encouraging users to register and vote.
Earlier this month Facebook announced it would not run any political advertising during the week before the election to prevent misinformation.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg and wife, Priscilla Chan, have also donated $300 million to promote safe and secure elections.
The company’s announcement comes a week after Snapchat said it had registered 400,000 voters through its app.
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