Facebook could be behind recent spike in Va. voter registrations

WASHINGTON — Thousands of Virginians have submitted applications to register to vote in the last few days since Facebook posted a reminder at the top of users’ newsfeeds across the nation.

The Virginia Department of Elections said thousands of voter registrations came in while the Facebook reminders were posted from Friday through Monday. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, plans to post similar registration reminders next week.

Registration often picks up as a presidential election nears, and local elections leaders and advocates like the League of Women Voters hope even more people register across the country on Tuesday, which has been designated National Voter Registration Day by the National Association of Secretaries of State.

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