Social media has huge role in the election

(FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – So many of you will follow what's happening on Facebook and Twitter. It's changed the way major events like the election unfold, especially when it comes to politics.

People will be trying to track election trends with social media, but it can be a little overwhelming to sort through.

About 40 percent of Americans are using social media to engage in politics, according to a Pew Research Center Study and FOX 25 wants to help you use it effectively Tuesday night.

The second presidential debate had more than 12 million posts between Twitter and Facebook, making it the third most posted-about event ever, ranking only behind the Grammys and the MTV Music Awards.

During the last debate, there were more than 10 million related tweets, according to the Wall Street Journal, which also reports that volume Tuesday night could reach an all-time high.

So what should you be reading? On Twitter "hashtags" are really the way to go to pull up conversations, and #election2012 is expected to be the big one Tuesday night.

Among early voters, the #ivoted has been picking up steam. And Twitter actually created an Election page you can check out with lists of some news feeds administrators think are helpful, like Politico, or various newspapers. Or you can make your own list and be sure to include FOX 25.

FOX 25 Senior Web Producer Doug Perry has been compiling a list of his favorites online tracking tools, and will be here all day and night if need be helping call the races. Tuesday at 8 p.m., Sara Underwood will host a special live Web broadcast on myfoxboston.com. Viewers can interact with Sara on Facebook and Twitter.

FOX 25 will also be on live from 6 to 8 p.m. as the results come in and will bring you updates all night long. There will be complete coverage at 10 and 11 or as late as it takes to get a winner.

Cox Media Group