Tech Trend 247

Google is updating its search features to make it easier for people to find information about how to vote. 

The feature follows a previous update aimed at educating users about voter registration. But while that feature pointed to voter registration deadlines as well as places to register online, the latest update provides information people may need on voting day.

With the update, when you search for "how to vote," or a similar query, Google will serve up detailed information about what you will need in order to vote in your state on election day. This includes when you can vote and whether or not you will need to show an I.D. to vote.

Though first-time voters may find the details particularly useful, it could also be a handy resource for those looking to vote by mail, as the results will explain how you may be able to vote early or get an absentee ballot.

Google is also sharing some new data around how search trends for voting information have changed since the last presidential election, with a new interactive map. The map shows how interest in registering to vote has changed since the 2012 election, based on Google searches. 

Interest in registering to vote has increased across every state since that election, with the exception of Kansas and Oregon, according to the company's data. Google also notes that several swing states — including Ohio and Virginia — have seen significant spikes in voter registration searches since 2012.

Google is also making much of this data available to some third parties in an effort to continue "making it easy for people to find information, and have their voices heard in November." Google's "how to register to vote" and "how to vote" data will be available to nonprofits and other organizations that promote voting.