History

In 1994 an ad-hoc group of Minnesotans launched Minnesota E-Democracy as an electronic town square:

...the Minnesota E-Democracy Project created an electronic meeting space where candidates could answer public questions and critique their opponents - and where citizens could find detailed information on Minnesota politics, comment on the candidates, and discuss the democratic process. This was the first statewide political debate in the country conducted online in 'cyberspace.'

--Erna J. Koch, Center for Policy Alternatives

In 1994 the project concentrated on the statewide races for governor and U.S. Senator. Activities included:

• A World-Wide-Web site that included position papers, speeches, and campaign material for most U.S. Senate and governor candidates;

• On-line debates for all candidates for governor and U.S. Senator in Minnesota. The debate included a forum for citizen discussions during the debate. The debates were cosponsored by the Minnesota League of Women Voters.

• The "Bit Bucket Brigade"--a group of computer volunteers--was organized by E-Democracy to make current election results available on the Internet on election night.

• After the election, both the World-Wide-Web site and the citizen discussion forum have continued.

• E-Democracy's web site now includes links to a variety of Minnesota political parties including the DFL, the Republican Party and the Independence party. Leading up to the precinct caucuses, it included access to the League of Women Voter's voter and caucus information web pages.

• Mn-Politics@MR.Net--an on-line discussion forum--was started in 1994 as a public discussion forum. It has continued with discussions on a variety of political and public policy issues.

[Archives of 1994 E-Democracy]

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