How Social Media Has Changed the Election Process

Unless you live under a rock, it's been increasingly obvious that this year's presidential election process has reached a fever pitch.

At last week's presidential debate, candidates were fact checked in real-time. Hillary Clinton's campaign was able to release facts, evidence, and strategic ads and materials within seconds of either candidate making a claim. And, in the past week, video evidence has been discovered of Donald Trump saying deplorable things about women and advocating for sexual aggression.

None of this would be possible without social media.

The way the world uses social media has completely and irrevocably changed the presidential election process in the United States and worldwide. Never before in history has the nation been able to dig through a candidate's past Tweets to find discretions and catch them in lies. Never have the citizens been so well informed and well versed in issues and information related to the campaigns than now.

Enterprising journalists, amateur sleuths and would-be detectives have unearthed everything from Donald Trumps missing tax returns to evidence (time and time again) of his gross misogyny and racism.

And indeed, Clinton's campaign has been able to pounce repeatedly on his various scandals, missteps, and quotes, such as this, tweeted live during the debate:

And another funny one, to illustrate my point:

donald trump: I didn't say that

the internet: pic.twitter.com/WrTHriXLgV

— laney (@seinfeId) September 27, 2016

Regardless of what happens at the polls next month, it's clear that the electoral process has been forever altered by the mass availability of social media. In four more years, who knows where we'll stand.