Core Functionality

The core of the system will be based around the following functionality, tailored to meet the needs of each user group.

Citizens:

Step 1. In order to use the platform, a citizen must first visit the website and set up a user account. As part of this process, they will verify their voter registration data.

Step 2. The user may then express their opinion in their own words, and tag it with an issue area.

Step 3. The user may also register agreement or disagreement with other opinions that are on the platform.

Result! This simple structure then allows the aggregated opinions to be sorted by issue area and electoral district in a snazzy dashboard with a top-level graphical interface and the ability to drill down to each individual opinion.

Representatives:

Option 1. Representatives will have the option of making general statements by issue area. When one of their constituents is express an opinion in that issue area, this general statement will be presented to them. This enables a constituent to learn about their representative’s perspective when they are most engaged on that issue area. It also enables the constituent to write an opinion that takes into account the work that the representative is already doing.

Option 2. Representatives may respond to any specific opinion. When they do so, that response will then be sent to all constituents that expressed interest in that opinion. This response may be received in a number of ways, including via email, rss feed, or a news feed within the site.

Result! Communication between constituents and their elected officials can move beyond the oversimplified “for or against” model of today, and become meaningful political dialogue.

Advocacy Groups:

Involvement. Advocacy groups will be able to post opinions freely on the platform. However, these opinions will not have any value until constituents register agreement or disagreement on them. A widget will be available to allow these opinions to be posted on the advocacy group’s own website.

Result! This is a more efficient mechanism of mobilizing constituents to express support for an issue to their elected officials – all while driving traffic to their own website. In addition, the opinions that they post will be publicly accessible to all visitors of the main site, raising awareness for their cause and allowing them to grow their membership.