Just a click away ... Web site educates voters

When it comes to understanding the candidates and issues in this year’s presidential election, voters have yet another tool to keep them connected - the Internet.

More than a million Americans have visited www.glassbooth.org since its November 2007 launch.

Co-founder Ian Manheimer said the name has significance.

“Glassbooth is a metaphor for transparency in politics,” said Manheimer, 24, who was raised in Connecticut. “Glass transparency and booth, the voting booth.”

Manheimer said he and a few of his friends created the Web site out of a dialogue about democracy in America and young peoples’ responsibility as citizens.

“We all realized that we could create something that could have an impact in the 2008 election,” Manheimer said.

During his research on democracy in America and voting practices among Americans, the results were “troubling.”

“People who didn’t vote said it was because they weren’t informed enough. And those who did vote still had misconceptions about where the candidates actually stood on certain issues,” Manheimer said. “That’s when we thought that it might be cool to have a Web site that actually educated people on the candidates and issues.”

And according to glassbooth.org, a large number of Alabamians are still undecided on who they will vote for Tuesday.

When you visit the site, you determine what issues - i.e. healthcare, education, gun control - are important by assigning each a point value. After answering a series of questions on the issues (users either agree, disagree or don’t know), the “quiz” informs the user of the candidate who most mirrors his/her views.

Gerard S. Gryski said he is in favor of anything that results in greater “political engagement.” But he said sites like glassbooth.org aren’t all a voter needs. Gryski, chair of the department of political science at Auburn University, believes such a site might lack information on all issues important to voters.

“If you’re new to the voting process and the candidates, a Web site like that might be a helpful first step,” Walldorf said. “But you should keep in mind you’re looking at a Web site or other information that might be based on someone else’s interpretation of the issues.

“While a Web site like glassbooth.org may be helpful, once you find a candidate that shares your views on the issues,” Walldorf added. “You should visit their Web sites and view the televised debates; so that when you head to the polls, you do so as an informed voter.”