Facebook members show off their votes

A lot of things get exposed on college-oriented social networking site Facebook--instant-message screennames, incriminating photos from St. Patrick's Day keggers, and the preference to belong to groups with names like "I Just Tried To Ford The River And My (expletive) Oxen Died." (For those who are unfamiliar, that is a reference to the beloved '90s PC game, "Oregon Trail.")

Well, now Facebook has added a feature that allows members to showcase their preferences in 2006 elections for governor, senator, and congressional representative. The name of any candidate up for election this November (as well as primary candidates in states and districts where parties have not yet determined their nominees) can now be selected through a search function; and a if a particular member has picked candidates to "support," they're now displayed in an "Election 2006" box on his or her profile.

The big question is, will this drive more young people to actually go out and vote?

A side note: Only real candidates can be selected. As much as many college students might like to boast on their Facebook profiles that they support for governor, the Election 2006 feature doesn't make it possible.