Unsolicited Election Texts: Why Am I Getting So Many?

As the 2024 election approaches, Americans are experiencing a surge in text messages from political campaigns. These texts are a powerful tool for candidates to connect with voters, but they can also be a nuisance or even a source of confusion and frustration. With sophisticated data collection methods and direct access to voters' personal devices, campaigns can deliver targeted messages, solicit donations, and provide crucial updates. However, the high volume of texts and the potential for scams or inaccurate information has led to concerns and complaints from voters. While there are ways to reduce or block these messages, they often require prior consent or opting out, which can be challenging. This election season, it's essential to be vigilant about the information we receive and verify it through official sources to make informed decisions.

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Political campaigns use texts as they are low cost and have high engagement rates

Political campaigns have increasingly turned to text messaging as a preferred mode of communication, surpassing traditional methods like mailers or phone calls. This is because text messaging is a low-cost and high-engagement method of reaching voters. Text messages are seen promptly by recipients, unlike emails that often languish unread or phone calls that go unanswered. As Alex Quilici, CEO of call-blocking company YouMail, notes, "If you see more of something, it means it's working."

Political campaigns can obtain phone numbers by leveraging extensive databases and digital tools designed to gather and utilize voter contact information. In the United States, all 50 states allow political parties and candidates to access voter registration records, which include names, addresses, political parties, and voting history. This information is meant to be used for election work, but it can be sold or given away by the state, leading to frustration and concerns about privacy.

Once they have phone numbers, campaigns can send targeted messages, solicit donations, mobilize volunteers, and provide updates on campaign events. Texting also allows campaigns to reach younger generations, who are more likely to engage with texts than phone calls from unknown numbers. However, the high volume of political texts can be annoying and overwhelming for voters, especially when they are unsolicited. Some voters have reported receiving over 50 messages from politicians on their phones, and others have expressed concerns about the invasiveness of targeted messaging.

To comply with regulations, campaigns must obtain prior consent from recipients before sending political texts. However, this consent is often buried in the fine print of user agreements for various online services, leading to many people unknowingly agreeing to receive political texts. While most political texts are sent using autodialing technology, which requires prior consent, some campaigns circumvent this by manually dialing numbers, which is not subject to the same regulations.

Political texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry

During an election season, it is common to experience an increase in calls and texts from political campaigns. While these can be annoying, political campaign calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. This is because the National Do Not Call Registry is designed to stop unwanted sales calls from real companies that follow the law. It does not apply to calls from political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors, or companies with which a consumer has an existing business relationship.

However, this does not mean that political campaigns can disregard all regulations regarding their communications. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules that they must follow. For example, in general, robocalls and robotexts to mobile phones require prior consent. Political robocalls to landlines are allowed without prior consent, but there are exceptions. For instance, political robocalls made to residential landline phones without the prior consent of the called party are limited to no more than three calls within any consecutive 30-day period.

Additionally, for calls and texts that require consent, the caller must honor the called party's request to revoke consent. The called party can revoke consent at any time by replying with a common keyword such as "STOP", "STOPALL", "ENDALL", or "CANCEL". If you suspect the number is from a scammer and not a campaign, it is recommended to block and report the number instead of replying, as replying confirms your number is real. If you believe you have received a political robocall or text that does not comply with the FCC's rules, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints or by mail.

To reduce the number of unwanted political texts, you can also look into call-blocking and call-labeling services.

Political campaigns can obtain your number through extensive databases

Political campaigns can obtain your phone number through extensive databases and digital tools designed to gather and utilize voter contact information. This is a simple process, and campaigns can deliver targeted messages, solicit donations, and provide updates with just a few taps on a smartphone.

Political campaigns have increasingly turned to text messaging as a preferred mode of communication, surpassing traditional methods like mailers or phone calls. This is due to the relatively low cost and high engagement rates of text messages. Text messages are seen promptly by recipients, and younger generations are more likely to engage with texts than phone calls from unknown numbers.

In the United States, political campaign-related autodialed or prerecorded voice calls, including autodialed texts, are prohibited to cell phones without the recipient's prior express consent. However, political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. While campaigns generally need prior consent to send text messages, this is not the case if the messages are typed in by hand by a real person.

To stop receiving political text messages, you can reply with keywords like "STOP," "STOPALL," "ENDALL," or "CANCEL." If you suspect the number is from a scammer, it is better to block and report the number. You can also forward the message to "7726," which spells out the word "SPAM."

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You can opt out of political texts by replying with 'STOP', 'ENDALL', or 'CANCEL'

During an election season, it is common to receive an influx of calls and texts from political campaigns. While these are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, they must follow the rules set out by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).

Political campaigns have increasingly turned to text messaging as a preferred mode of communication due to its low cost and high engagement rates. These messages can be sent manually without prior consent, but when sent using an autodialer, they require the recipient's prior express consent.

If you are tired of receiving these texts, you can opt out by replying with specific keywords. Most political organizations using texting software will recognize keywords like STOP, ENDALL, STOPALL, or CANCEL and automatically remove you from their contact list. If you are unsure whether the number is from a scammer, it is better to block and report the number, as replying may indicate to them that your number is real. You can also copy and forward the message to SPAM (7726) to report the sender.

Additionally, be cautious of links in political texts, as they may contain malware or lead to fraudulent websites. Some political texts may even be fake, designed to mislead or defraud you, so always be vigilant.

Texts can be reported as spam by forwarding them to 7726

During an election season, there is usually an increase in calls and texts from political campaigns. While this is allowed under the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, it can be frustrating to receive so many texts. If you are receiving too many texts about the election, you can report them as spam by forwarding them to 7726. This number is reserved for reporting spam text messages, and it helps your wireless carrier investigate and block the number from sending further messages.

Texts from political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, but the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules they must follow. In general, robocalls and robotexts to mobile phones require prior consent. If you receive a text from a political campaign, they should have asked you to opt-in before sending a text, and they must remove you from their contact list once you send them a special keyword, such as STOP, STOPALL, ENDALL, or CANCEL.

If you suspect the number is from a scammer and not a campaign, it is better to block and report the number because replying to a scammer lets them know your number is real. You can also use your phone's built-in features or advanced call-blocking apps like YouMail to block the sender.

If you think you've received a political robocall or text that does not comply with the FCC's rules, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints.

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