Nextdoor, Vote.org Want You to Vote, Just Don’t Be a Jerk About It

Nextdoor and Vote.org are teaming up to get people to the polls for the US midterm elections.

The neighborhood network this week announced plans to “simplify political engagement, increase voter turnout, and strengthen American democracy.” In the lead-up to Election Day on Nov. 8, all related Nextdoor posts will be labeled “to promote registration and turnout,” while users can verify their voter registration status and find their local polling place. Neighbors will also be encouraged to carpool or walk together to the voting booths.

Conversations about politics can get heated. So, to avoid neighborhood brawls, the app is using predictive technology to detect and anticipate hurtful or harmful language and allow users to edit messages before posting.

“The company’s efforts to keep interactions on the platform safe and productive are a balance of human review and technology, both of which work to detect and remove content that violates guidelines,” Nextdoor says.

“Change starts in the neighborhood, and while every neighborhood is unique, everyone wants their community to thrive,” Nextdoor CEO Sarah Friar said in a statement. “We have an opportunity to strengthen civic engagement while upholding Nextdoor’s commitment to voter rights and protections.”

In addition to Vote.org, Nextdoor’s election team includes the Advancement Project, the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, and the NAACP. The firm also signed the electionday.org pledge to provide all employees paid time off to vote.

“Our neighborhoods are the center of our lives, where we build relationships and connect with people, community organizations, and local businesses,” said Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org.