History of the TLD

The .vote domain is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) introduced through ICANN’s New gTLD Program and delegated in 2014. It is intended for political, electoral, advocacy, and civic engagement purposes, providing a namespace for campaigns, organizations, and initiatives focused on voting and democratic participation. The registry is operated by Donuts Inc.

Main Use and Industry Position

.vote is primarily used by political parties, candidates, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and civic organizations to promote voter engagement, share election information, and organize campaigns. It is designed to clearly communicate involvement in electoral or civic processes.

Comparison to Other TLDs

Compared with generic extensions like .com or .org, .vote offers an immediate and specific association with elections, voting, and civic participation. Unlike broad gTLDs, it signals political or civic intent to users. While less widely known than mainstream TLDs, it provides strong relevance for its niche.

Pros and Cons of the TLD

Pros

• Strong relevance for political, advocacy, and civic organizations

• Enhances credibility and clarity for election-related content

• Open registration with support for modern DNS features

Cons

• Lower recognition than traditional TLDs like .com or .org

• Niche focus may not be suitable for unrelated projects

• Potential restrictions on campaign or political content may apply depending on jurisdiction

Registration Criteria

.vote domains are generally available for registration by individuals and organizations worldwide. There are no strict eligibility requirements beyond standard naming policies and character rules.

Summary

The .vote gTLD provides a dedicated namespace for political, advocacy, and civic engagement websites. Introduced in 2014 and managed by Donuts Inc, it allows open registration and helps organizations clearly signal their involvement in electoral and civic processes.