The Xbox 360 is undoubtedly a great games machine. It’s a bit of a star performer in the multimedia-hub stakes too. But a vital cog in the lumbering machinery of Stateside democracy? Er, yeah, apparently.

This recent, and somewhat unexpected addition to the ’Box’s skillset is due to a newly-inked partnership between Microsoft and the ‘Rock the Vote’ initiative in the US, which aims to get ‘young’ people off the sofa and fully engaged in the political process. As far as the 360 component goes users will be able to download Rock the Vote announcements, share their opinions, take part in polls and even register to vote in the forthcoming Presidential election - all via the magic of Xbox LIVE, of course. The new deal will be featured at both Republican and Democratic national conventions, the latter kicking off just yesterday.

"To realise our goal of registering two million young Americans by this fall, we need to go where young Americans are, and there's no doubt in our minds that many are on Xbox 360 and Xbox Live," says Rock the Vote exec director Heather Smith.

Blimey, only in America, eh? But we wouldn’t be at all surprised if the savvier elements of our major political parties try something equally trendy at the next general election. Gordon Brown and chums taking on all comers in Gears 2, maybe? Cameron and co hosting Conservative youth groups in Playstation Home? Shudder…