E-Parties: Democratic and Republican State Parties in 2000

Abstract

This research examines the form and content of state party websites in the 2000 US election, and considers whether or not state parties are following the lead of the national parties. Generally, state parties attempted to provide essential party functions online, but lacked technical sophistication in 2000. The range of state party websites was broad - from state parties that lacked simple graphics to those with streaming video. Highly integrated parties (those receiving large soft-money transfers) produced the strongest websites and demonstrated the most expertise in this emerging medium.