Highlighting his strong support among young voters and calling for a new kind of politics, Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) will announce his vice presidential nominee via text and email.

"Barack Obama is about to make one of the most important decisions of this campaign -- choosing a running mate," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in an email to supporters on Sunday. "You have helped build this movement from the bottom up, and Barack wants you to be the first to know his choice."

Plouffe directed supporters to sign up on a page on the Obama website, my.barackobama.com/vp, or "text VP to 62262" to receive the news first.

The campaign's choice of announcing its ticket will be the first of its kind in election history, adding yet again to the historic nature of the campaign.

Obama is expected to announce his choice during the Aug. 25-28 Democratic National Convention in Denver, where the vice presidential nominee will speak on the third night. Obama is currently on vacation in Hawaii and will be back on the campaign trail Aug. 15.

The freshman senator's vice presidential shortlist includes Sens. Joe Biden (D-DE), Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine.