Mobile played a role in today?s Republican presidential primary in Florida, with many residents checking their voter status and updating their information via their mobile phones in time for the primary.

The League of Women Voters of Florida is using mobile to inform Florida voters about their current registration status with the goal of increasing voter turnout at the polls. The ?Be Ready to Vote? campaign uses Microsoft Tags and a mobile site to make it easy for Florida residents to check their voting status and connect with a voting representative.

?In many states, election laws have recently changed,? said Charley Williams, chair of voter services for the League of Women?s Voters of Florida, Tallahassee, FL. ?This is the case in Florida as a result of the 2011 Legislative Session.

?Voter name changes and address changes could impact a voter's ability to cast a ballot on Election Day,? he said. ?With the League's Tag campaign, voters can reconfirm their voter status before they vote so there is no confusion, or embarrassment at the polls.

?The League wants to make voting as positive an experience as possible for all voters, so statewide turnout continues to improve.?

Election support
Smartphone users who scan the Be Ready to Vote Microsoft Tags are prompted to enter their name and date of birth to check their voter status. They are then provided with three menu options for contacting their local Supervisor of Elections office either by phone, email or Web site.

Once connected, users can update their voter information and get their questions answered by a representative.

The campaign, which was developed with the help of mobile marketing services company Nellymoser,  will support the three elections scheduled to take place in Florida in 2012, including today?s Republican presidential primary, the primary in August and the November general election.

The campaign will be rolled out all year long with the Microsoft Tags appearing on cards for handing out, on flyers for events, posters, print ads in newspapers and magazines as well as on Web sites and social media pages.

The League of Women Voters of Florida has also shared the Microsoft Tag with the state?s Supervisors of Elections and expects many to use a version of the Microsoft Tag in mass mailings to registered voters.

The Microsoft Tag also appears on the outside of supervisor vans, allowing any citizen to scan and be connected.

Mobile is expected to play a large role in the election process this year in Florida.

?Mobile will be huge,? Mr. Williams said. ?As entire segments of the voting age population continue to gravitate to smartphones for information, news and opinion, the League in Florida will be meeting them halfway with postings of our respected non-partisan voter guides which cover statewide offices up for election as well as pro-cons on the constitutional amendments on the ballot.?

Final Take
Chantal Tode is associate editor on Mobile Marketer, New York