Microsoft is adding a new hub to Xbox Live for the upcoming presidential race. Election Hub 2012 will offer US-based Xbox 360 owners the chance to view live feeds from the Republican and Democratic national conventions, watch the three presidential debates, and receive news updates about the candidates and their respective political parties.
Viewers can respond to poll questions asked during live programming and special election events being hosted on Xbox Live throughout the election season. Daily election shows will be supplied by NBCNews.com to the hub, while non-partisan and independently funded Face the Facts USA will share details about the candidates and election issues. Unregistered voters will be able to sign up through the hub via Rock the Vote.
A survey of Xbox Live households found that 40 percent of those polled were Swing Voters, namely people not firmly committed to a presidential candidate, which YouGov calls a “large, engaged but uncommitted audience.” Unemployment and jobs were considered the most important for these Xbox Swing Voters, taking 39 percent of the vote, while healthcare reached 29 percent and taxes 22 percent.
The Election Hub 2012 content will appear on US Xbox 360 consoles from Monday, August 27.
