University of Maryland Hosts Debate Watch; Highlights Innovative Technologies

WHAT:

The University of Maryland will host Unique Presidential Debate Watch Party Including the Roll-Out of Innovative Technologies Featuring a New Platform for Online Polling and New Electronic Online Voter Registration for the University of Maryland Campus.

WHEN:

Wednesday, October 3, 2012. 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

PROGRAM:

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Pre-debate discussion hosted by Public Policy Dean Don Kettl starts at 8:30 p.m. The presidential debate watch starts at 9 p.m. Brief Q & A and analysis at 10:30 p.m. Program ends at 11 p.m. The event is open to the first 500 University of Maryland students, faculty or staff who show up for the event. Pizza and drinks will be served.

WHERE:

Colony Ballroom, Stamp Student Union

BACKGROUND:

The University of Maryland will host a unique interactive presidential debate watch in the Colony Ballroom of the Stamp Student Union on campus.

This event will feature two new innovative technologies developed at the University of Maryland:

1) The debate watch will feature a new platform for real-time polling from React Labs. Developed by University of Maryland Professor Philip Resnik, React Labs runs on the most popular mobile devices (iPhone, Android, iPad, and on laptops running Chrome, Firefox, or Safari), and it will allow participants - including those at the Maryland event - to register their moment-by-moment reactions to what candidates are saying during the debate using button taps to indicate when they agree or disagree, and when they think candidates are spinning answers or dodging the question. It also supports pre- and post-debate surveys (e.g. demographics, partisanship, issue priorities) as well as questions during the event (e.g. Which candidate best addressed your concerns about healthcare?). In concert with other schools around the nation, the UMD participants will be part of React Labs: Educate, a program involving thousands of people watching - and reacting to - the presidential debates. Those in attendance will be able to watch reactions unfold in real time on a screen next to the debate broadcast. Afterwards, Professor Resnik will analyze debate reaction results and Public Policy Dean Don Kettl will lead a half-hour audience discussion.

2) TerpsVote: The new "Terrapin Electronic Voter Registration System" allows University of Maryland students to easily register to vote on a secure university website. Link for the site can be found at this Student Government Association webpage. Registration information is electronically transmitted to the State Board of Elections for processing. For faculty and staff or other individuals who are not associated with the University, the TerpsVote website offers a link to another state registration site for all Maryland Residents who have a Maryland state issued driver's license or identification card through Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). There is no other online university-run voter system in the U.S. that also auto-populates the form. The Student Government Association last year worked with state officials during the consideration of HB 173 that allowed the use of electronic signatures for voter registration to include institutions of higher education. Passed by wide margins in Annapolis, the SGA immediately began working to implement the legislation on campus. Working with the State Board of Elections in Annapolis and the President's Office, Division of Information Technology, Division of Student Affairs, the Registrar's Office, the Adele H. Stamp Student Union, and the TerpsVote coalition, a website was constructed and is now online and available.

MEDIA:

Media coverage is welcome. A mult box will be provided. Parking is available next to the Stamp Student Union in the Union Lane Garage. Get a map here.

CONTACT:

For more information, contact:

Crystal Brown
Chief Communications Officer
University of Maryland
301-405-4621

David Ottalini
Senior Media Relations Associate
University of Maryland
301-405-4076

TerpsVote:
Shane Bryan
301-314-8342

React Labs
Professor Philip Resnik
React Labs Website

---

Debate Watch 2012