Facebook just isn’t about browsing photos of friends. A new initiative in Washington state actually might have a higher purpose: Allowing citizens to register to vote.

The Associated Press reports that the Secretary of State’s Office next week plans to launch a new effort whereby individuals can register to vote.

“In this age of social media and more people going online for services, this is a natural way to introduce people to online registration and leverage the power of friends on Facebook to get more people registered,” said Shane Hamlin, co-director of elections, told the AP.

Microsoft and Facebook worked with the state of Washington on the new app since last fall. The state has offered online registration since 2008, but this marks the first time that citizens will be able to register via Facebook.

[Hat tip to Cnet]

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