With every election cycle, political campaigns become more and more
reliant on online platforms to target voters. Yet, regulatory measures
for campaigns have not kept pace with the rapid development of digital
campaigning. The public is largely in the dark about the tactics
campaigns use on platforms like TikTok, Google and Facebook to
distribute their campaign messaging.
In this day-long symposium, the Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP) and the Center for the Study of Democratic Politics
(CSDP) has assembled experts to discuss the extent of the influence
online platforms have on elections. We will discuss the strategies
campaigns use to influence voters, including the use of social media
influencers, and how we can develop mechanisms that promote democratic
oversight of digital campaigns.
On the heels of the 2022 midterms, our goal is to learn from recent
elections and help us improve federal and state mechanisms for
monitoring online campaigning in time for 2024.
Agenda
Session 1 (9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.): Understanding the Evolving Use of Online Platform Tools in Shaping Campaign Strategies
Panelists:
Moderator: Andy Guess, Princeton University
Session 2 (10:30 a.m. -11:45 a.m.): Addressing the Challenges of Monitoring Campaign Activities Online
Panelists:
Moderator: Rebecca Weiss, Princeton