PORTSMOUTH, Va. — For the first time in a presidential election cycle, voters in the city of Portsmouth will be able to access voting and election information through text messages and an opt-in alert based system.
The system, operated by TextMyGov, allows voters to text keywords to an established number that will automatically respond with links to the most relevant and appropriate election websites based on that text message's keywords.
“We hear a lot of 'I didn’t know’ or 'I didn’t see anything,'" said Alexandra Abell, the Portsmouth Director of Elections.
Phrases that will illicit responses, which can be reached at 757-394-8228, include "Where to Vote, "Deadlines", "Absentee Voting" and more.
Voters may also receive periodic election updates by texting "PORTSMOUTH VOTE" to 91896, and then opting in to the service.
“I can schedule alerts to go out at different times, and I already have my alerts scheduled for this election to tell you on June 8, the polls are open on that Saturday and same on June 15," Abell said.
Abell said there are roughly 300 registered Portsmouth voters so far who’ve opted in. The program costs $8,000 annually and is covered by the Registrar's operating budget.
“We have almost 70,000 registered voters, so 70,000 opt-ins would be nice," Abell laughed.