Most of the 13 candidates for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Jesse Helms, R-N.C., have developed Web sites to help them reach out to voters.
Although the Web sites vary greatly in their degree of sophistication, most outline campaign goals, provide candidate biographies, tell Web surfers how to contribute to a campaign and provide contact information.
While candidates with more financial backing usually have the advantage, the Internet has given candidates the chance to compete more equally.
Doug Sellers, a Republican Senate candidate, said he plans to do most of his campaign advertising on the Internet.
"I'm getting greater access to the public," Sellers said.
"I'm getting e-mails from people who otherwise wouldn't know I'm in the race."
He praised the Internet and its communication advantages.
"Anyone who has access to the Internet can get to know me personally quicker by looking at my Web site," he said.
"They can get to me before I can get to them."