Start-Ups Make Political Organizing Mobile-Ready

With Congress nearly frozen in place and big donors taking on growing influence, start-ups are moving into the political breach. Phone2Action, based in Washington, is a case in point. Founded by Jeb Ory, Ximena Hartsock and Patrick Stoddart in 2012, the company combines mobile technology with text- and web-based advocacy tools to allow people to take action the moment they are motivated, whether they are attending a rally or listening to a radio advertisement. In one campaign, a Phone2Action client, the Hispanic Council for Reform and Educational Options, sought to mobilize supporters to help pass legislation in Florida that would make students who were brought to the United States illegally as children eligible for in-state college tuition. Using Phone2Action’s platform, Mr. Ory said Hispanic council supporters sent legislators more than 7,800 emails and Twitter posts during the weeks that committees were voting on the bill, which passed with bipartisan support.

Source: Start-Ups Make Political Organizing Mobile-Ready - NYTimes.com