Simone Lawson
Political campaigns have increasingly turned to text messaging as a means of reaching voters, with Americans receiving a record 15 billion political texts in 2022. This shift is largely driven by the high open and response rates of text messages compared to other communication channels. While political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, they must adhere to specific rules outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). These regulations require prior express consent for automated political text messages, while manually sent messages do not require prior consent. As a result, political campaigns often rely on `auto-dial` technology to send text messages, which has led to concerns about spam and unwanted messages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Need for consent | Required for automated systems, not needed for manual texting |
| Opt-out option | Recipients can reply "STOP" to unsubscribe |
| Reporting spam | Texts can be forwarded to 7726 or "SPAM" |
| Blocking | Blocking the number can be an option |
| Filtering | Filtering out texts from unknown numbers is possible |
| Malware | Texts may contain links to malicious websites |
| Do Not Call list | Political campaigns are exempt from this list |
| National Do Not Call Registry | Political campaigns are exempt from this registry |
| Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) | Political campaigns must follow the rules in this Act |
| Text banking | A way to spread the word about candidates using text messages |
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What You'll Learn
Political campaigns require prior consent to text cell phones
Political campaigns are an essential part of the election process, and with the increasing use of technology, we are seeing a shift towards text messages as a key communication channel. While this can be an effective way to reach voters, it is important to remember that campaigns must have prior consent to text cell phones.
During an election season, it is common to experience an influx of calls and texts from various political campaigns. While these communications are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, specific rules must be followed, as outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The key requirement is that prior express consent is necessary for political campaigns to send text messages to cell phones using autodialer or robocaller technology. This means that campaigns must obtain permission from the recipient before sending automated texts. However, it is important to note that manually sent messages, typed in by a real person, can be sent without prior consent.
The distinction between automated and manual texts is crucial. Automated texts are sent using autodialer technology, which enables campaigns to send a high volume of messages simultaneously. On the other hand, manual texts are individually typed and sent from one cellphone to another. While prior consent is not required for manual texts, individuals who no longer wish to receive them can reply "STOP" to opt out of future communications.
To ensure compliance with FCC regulations, political campaigns must honor opt-out requests and provide clear instructions on how to unsubscribe from future text messages. Additionally, individuals who believe they have received unsolicited political text messages can report the sender by forwarding the text to 7726 or "SPAM".
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Political text messages are exempt from the 'Do Not Call' list
Political text messages are exempt from the Do Not Call list. This means that even if you've registered your number with the National Do Not Call Registry, you may still receive political text messages during election seasons. While this may be frustrating for some, it is a valuable marketing tool for political campaigns. With text messages having a 98% open rate and a high response rate, it is no surprise that political campaigns are leveraging this channel to reach voters and donors.
However, there are rules and regulations that political campaigns must follow when sending text messages. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), political campaigns generally need prior express consent to send text messages using autodialer technology. This means that if you have provided your phone number to a political organization, for example, through donations or signing up for updates, you have likely given them consent to send you text messages. On the other hand, if a text message is sent manually by a real person, no prior consent is needed.
To comply with FCC rules, political text messages should include the option to opt out of future communications. Recipients can usually do this by replying "STOP" to the text message. Additionally, if you believe you have received a political text message that does not comply with FCC rules, you can report it by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM) or by filing an informal complaint with the FCC.
While it may be challenging to completely prevent your phone number from being gathered by political campaigns, there are some steps you can take to reduce the number of text messages you receive. One suggestion is to use a "`burner`" number for non-personal communications, such as online ordering or marketing, to shield your real phone number. Additionally, you can be cautious when providing your phone number online and look out for text message opt-ins. By being mindful of these practices, you can better manage the number of political text messages you receive.
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Political text messages are often sent using autodialers
Political text messages are a common occurrence, especially during election season. Campaigns use them to drive supporters to rallies, promote ballot initiatives, fundraise, and encourage early voting. They have become a popular tool in modern campaigning due to their high open rates and direct reach. However, it is important to note that political text messages are often sent using autodialers, and there are rules and regulations in place that govern their use.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the prior express consent of the recipient. This means that political campaigns must obtain permission from the person they are texting before sending messages using autodialers. Autodialers are systems that can send out thousands of text messages at once, and their use is regulated to protect consumers from unwanted spam messages. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules that political campaigns must follow when using autodialers.
While political campaigns need prior consent to send autodialed text messages, manually sent text messages are exempt from this rule. This means that if a campaign staff member personally sends a text message from their cellphone, prior consent is not required. This exemption allows for more personalized communication between campaign staff and voters, as they can have running conversations and respond to questions or feedback.
To obtain phone numbers for their text message campaigns, political organizations often turn to voter registration records, which are public information that includes the names, addresses, and contact information of registered voters. Additionally, they may purchase phone numbers from data brokers who compile extensive profiles using online activity, subscriptions, demographic information, and other data points. This means that even if you haven't directly provided your phone number to a political campaign, they may have obtained it from other sources.
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Political text messages can be reported as spam
Political text messages can be annoying, and sometimes, dangerous. They are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, but there are still rules in place to protect consumers from spam. If you are receiving political text messages that you didn't ask for, you can report them as spam.
Firstly, it's important to know that political campaigns are required to have your prior consent to send text messages—unless they are manually typed in by a real person. So, if you are receiving automated political text messages that you didn't consent to, you can report them. Consent can be given orally, so it's possible you agreed to receive these messages without realizing it. For example, when you use your phone number for online ordering, marketing, or social media, you may be agreeing to share your number with other service providers.
If you want to stop receiving political text messages, you can reply "STOP" to unsubscribe. You can also block the number, or go to your phone's message settings and filter out messages from anyone not in your contact list. Additionally, you can get a free "burner number" from a service like Google Voice to use for non-personal communications, keeping your real number private.
If you are receiving political text messages that you believe are spam, you can report them by forwarding the messages to 7726 (SPAM) on any carrier. This helps your wireless provider identify and block similar messages in the future. You can also report spam messages directly through your messaging app, by looking for the option to report junk or spam. If you think a political text message does not comply with FCC rules, you can file an informal complaint at fcc.gov/complaints.
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Political text messages are a powerful marketing tool
Political campaigns can use text messages for various purposes, such as voter outreach, donation appeals, event invites, and info blasts. They can also be used to spread the word about a candidate, with volunteers sending messages outside of business hours to make a greater impact. Additionally, text messages can be personalized and include multimedia content like images, emojis, GIFs, or videos, further increasing their effectiveness.
One of the main advantages of political text messages is their ability to facilitate two-way conversations. The casual nature of texts makes it easy for donors and voters to engage in conversation and ask questions or respond to surveys. This helps to build trust and strengthen relationships with supporters. Text messages can also be used to collect information and persuade voters, making them a versatile tool for political campaigns.
However, it's important to note that political text messages require prior express consent from the recipient. This means that campaigns must have permission to send automated messages, while manual messages sent by a real person do not require prior consent. To comply with regulations, political text messages should also include information on how users can stop receiving future messages, such as replying "STOP".
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Frequently asked questions
You can reply "STOP" to any political text message to opt out of future communications. You can also block the number, or go to your messages settings and filter out text messages from anyone not in your contact list. If you think the text breaks FCC rules, you can report it by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM).
Yes, you must give consent to receive automated political text messages. However, no prior consent is needed if the text is sent manually by a real person.
Political campaigns have realized that text messages have a high open rate (98%) and response rate, so they are an effective way to reach people. In 2022, Americans received a record 15 billion political texts.
Political text messages should be concise and include specific reply options to simplify data collection. They should also identify who the text is from and how users can stop receiving future messages.
