Trickle-Down Technology? The Use of Computing and Network Technology in State Legislative Campaigns

Abstract

Does a lag effect exist in the integration of technology into state legislative campaigns? Have state legislative campaigns followed the example of congressional campaigns and become users of voter files, web sites, and other forms of electronic voter communication? Using a survey of state legislative candidates in two states from the 2006 election cycle, the author probes candidates on their use of 18 technological elements. Legislative professionalism, party affiliation, professionalism of a campaign, and money raised were not significantly related to technology use in campaigns. And technology is not in widespread use for elections to state houses. Campaign success is strongly related to the use of online fund-raising, suggesting an incentive for candidates in the future to become more aggressive users of technology.