This app wants to help people get more politically active

Quincey Gamble sees a lot of political energy out there. The progressive, and former executive director of the Maryland Democratic Party, has worked on a lot of campaigns. But he says there’s a difference coming off of last year’s heated election cycle.
“Citizen advocacy,” he said, “is at an all-time high.”
Now with a new app, he wants to give people a way to channel it.
With Barcoding, Inc. CEO Jay Steinmetz, Gamble is cofounder of Modern Advocacy. The mobile app is taking a local approach to getting in touch with elected leaders.

“So much gets overlooked at the state and local level,” Gamble said. But it’s where lots of the decisions that directly affect people’s lives happen, and that presents a chance to influence the most change, he said.

Citizen users can track specific pieces of legislation, and check out the voting records of their elected officials. The app also provides contact info for elected representatives. If you want to use your own words, that’s also an option. Gamble said a big goal is to provide a way for people who are busy and not as involved in politics to get involved.

Gamble said the startup is looking to provide the platform directly to advocacy groups. The startup will customize it for a specific campaign or organization. The organizers can add their own touches like target specific times for direct action, and load up emails that can be copied and pasted and sent to elected officials.

So how did the political activist and the tech entrepreneur link up? Basketball. Gamble and Steinmetz met about 10 years ago playing in early morning pickup games at Merritt Athletic Club. (Technical.ly Brooklyn is dabbling in something similar.) They often faced off in the games due to their towering height. Over time, they became friends and found a common interest in politics, Gamble said. The team also includes CTO Danny Logsdon.