Stopping Voter Text Spam

Political text messages have surged dramatically in recent years, especially during election cycles. In 2022 alone, Americans received more than 15 billion political texts, a substantial increase largely attributed to a Supreme Court decision in April 2021 that removed consent requirements for sending mass texts. The months leading up to the midterm elections saw the highest spikes, with December peaking at 3.7 billion messages. This overwhelming influx outpaced other forms of communications, such as political calls, by a significant margin.

The effectiveness of text messaging in reaching and engaging voters, especially younger demographics, has made it a critical tool for political campaigns. Political texts are not merely reminders to vote but often include requests for donations and volunteer opportunities. These messages create a perceived sense of immediacy and personal touch, boosting engagement rates significantly. However, the downside is the sheer volume of these texts, leading to an overwhelming and often intrusive experience for voters.

Understanding and addressing this issue is crucial for protecting voter privacy and managing mobile communications effectively. Political texts are not subject to the federal Do Not Call registry, making it difficult for voters to opt out. Moreover, sophisticated data harvesting practices by brokers make it challenging to control who gets access to voter contact information. Given that unwanted political texts constituted the largest single group of text message complaints to the Federal Communications Commission in 2022, it’s apparent that many voters are seeking effective ways to manage and block these messages.

This guide will cover various methods and strategies to combat voter text spam. We’ll explore the reasons behind the surge, how campaigns obtain your phone number, and the legalities around political texts. Practical steps will be provided on how to stop these texts immediately, along with advanced measures for long-term management. We’ll also dig into the legal considerations and analyze the impact and effectiveness of political text messaging.

The surge of political text messages

As the November 2024 election approaches, Americans are experiencing a surge in political campaign texts. Political text messaging has already outpaced the total number of messages sent in 2023. In 2022, Americans received 15 billion political texts, and experts predict this trend will continue to escalate leading up to the 2024 election.

Reasons behind the increase

Effectiveness in engaging younger voters

Political campaigns turn to text messaging because of its high engagement rates, especially among younger demographics. About 97% of Americans own a cell phone, and they check their phones 144 times a day on average. This captive audience makes SMS an effective tool for political outreach and voter mobilization.

Accessibility and personal touch of SMS marketing

Text messaging offers a personal and direct line of communication that surpasses traditional methods like mailers and phone calls in both impact and cost-efficiency. Successful campaigns have reported significant gains in community engagement through SMS, such as the Town of Andover, which saw a 124% increase in subscribers within the first month of implementing its SMS strategy.

Understanding why you’re receiving political texts

How campaigns obtain your phone number

Registered voter databases

Campaigns frequently utilize publicly available voter rolls to gather phone numbers. These voter databases often contain personal information including names, addresses, and phone numbers. This availability allows political campaigns to easily access and use this data to target voters with text messages aimed at garnering support or encouraging participation in elections.

Purchase of contact lists

Political campaigns can also buy contact lists from third-party vendors who sell consumer data. These vendors compile extensive lists of phone numbers and other personal details from various sources, including online purchases, surveys, and public records. Campaigns then leverage these lists to disseminate their messages more broadly, reaching a larger audience.

The legality behind political texts

Exemptions from Do Not Call List

Political texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. The Registry, managed by the Federal Trade Commission, aims to reduce unwanted telemarketing calls but explicitly excludes political messages, charitable solicitations, and debt collection calls as these are considered protected forms of free speech.

Regulations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) provides the legal framework governing political text messages. Although autodialed or prerecorded calls and texts to wireless numbers require prior express consent, peer-to-peer (P2P) texting that uses a click-to-dial method is often exempt and viewed as not violating the TCPA. Recent rulings, such as the Supreme Court’s decision in Facebook v. Duguid, have narrowed the definition of automatic telephone dialing systems, further reducing the risk of political campaigns violating these rules.

How to stop political texts

Replying “STOP”

Replying with the word “STOP” to political texts can often unsubscribe you from further messages. This command works because many texting campaigns are required to honor opt-out requests. However, its utility is limited; persistent campaigns may ignore this request, and only official campaign numbers will honor it.

Blocking numbers

Detailed steps for iOS

1. Open the “Messages” app.
2. Tap on the conversation with the unwanted text message.
3. Tap the contact icon at the top of the conversation.
4. Tap “Info.”
5. Select “Block this Caller” and confirm.

Detailed steps for Android

1. Open the “Messages” app.
2. Tap on the conversation with the unwanted text message.
3. Tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
4. Select “Details” or “Info.”
5. Tap “Block & report spam” and confirm.

Reporting unwanted messages

Forwarding to 7726 (SPAM)

Forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 allows your carrier to investigate and block the sender. Simply long-press the message, select “Forward,” and send it to 7726, which spells “SPAM” on a standard phone keyboard.

Filing complaints with the FCC

To lodge a formal complaint, visit the FCC’s consumer complaint website and fill out the necessary forms. The FCC can issue warning citations and fines but does not offer individual damages.

Using third-party apps and filters

Overview of spam-filtering apps

Third-party applications like Robokiller and Truecaller offer solutions for blocking unwanted texts. These apps provide enhanced spam detection and blocking features.

How these apps work

These apps rely on technologies such as crowdsourced data and machine learning to identify and block unwanted messages. By continuously updating their databases with new spam reports and patterns, they can effectively filter out political texts and other unwanted communications.

Advanced measures to prevent and manage spam

Content filtration

How it scans for specific words and patterns

Content filtration technology helps by scanning for specific words, phrases, and patterns typically associated with spam. These filters use advanced algorithms and machine learning to detect and block messages that exhibit common characteristics of unwanted communication. By analyzing the text content, metadata, and sender information, filters can effectively separate legitimate messages from potential spam.

Protecting personal information

Avoiding phishing and smishing scams

Recognize phishing scams by scrutinizing unsolicited texts, especially those requesting personal info or containing suspicious links. For smishing, validate messages by contacting companies directly through known channels. Always avoid clicking unfamiliar links or replying to unexpected texts from unknown senders.

Tips for maintaining data privacy

1. Use security software: Ensure you have reliable security software installed and keep it updated.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security by enabling multi-factor authentication on all accounts.
3. Report suspicious messages: Forward suspected phishing texts to SPAM (7726) or report them to the FTC or Anti-Phishing Working Group.
4. Authentication protocols: Adhere to updated email authentication protocols if you’re a bulk sender, as enforced by Google and Yahoo with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

Legal considerations and guidelines

Understanding FCC regulations

What’s legal and what’s not

The FCC’s regulations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) dictate clear boundaries for political text messaging. Political robocalls and texts to mobile phones require prior express consent from the recipient. Unsolicited autodialed or prerecorded political calls and texts to mobile phones are illegal without this consent. However, these types of calls are permitted to landlines without prior consent, provided the caller’s information is disclosed at the beginning of the message.

Specific rules for robo-texts vs. peer-to-peer texting

There are distinct guidelines for different types of political text messages. Autodialed political texts, often referred to as “robotexts,” require explicit prior consent from the recipient. Manual text messages, typically sent via peer-to-peer texting systems, do not require prior consent and are legally permissible, assuming they adhere to other compliance standards.

Ensuring compliance

What campaigns must do to stay within legal bounds

To remain compliant, political campaigns must adhere to several requirements. For automatic calls and robotexts, obtaining and recording prior consent from voters is mandatory. All prerecorded messages must clearly state the identity of the caller and, if representing a corporate entity, the business name. Additionally, the caller must provide a return contact number at the beginning of the message. If a recipient replies “STOP” to any text, campaigns are mandated to honor the opt-out request promptly.

How to recognize compliant vs. non-compliant messages

Identifying compliant messages involves looking for certain criteria. Compliant political texts will include a clear identification of the sender and provide a straightforward method to opt out, such as replying “STOP.” Non-compliant messages often lack transparency about the sender’s identity and fail to offer an opt-out mechanism. Additionally, unsolicited robotexts without prior consent are a clear violation of FCC rules and should be reported.

Impact and effectiveness of political text messaging

Analysis of their success rates in recent elections

In the 2020 election, peer-to-peer texting demonstrated its effectiveness by increasing turnout among those texted by 0.7 percentage points compared to those who were not. For local races where margins are slim, every vote counts. Dr. Liz Snyder’s win in the Alaska House by just 11 votes exemplifies the potential impact. Cost efficiency also contributes to its success; some platforms charge as little as 1¢ per text, enhancing its reach.

Texting has an outsized impact on certain demographics, particularly younger voters aged 30-44, whose turnout rates significantly increase when they receive texts. Notably, swing voters who received texts with specific voting information increased their turnout by 1.8 percentage points in 2020, affirming the critical role targeted messaging plays.

Why campaigns continue to use SMS marketing

Political campaigns rely on SMS marketing due to its high open rates—estimated at 98%—and its ability to engage effectively compared to other channels. Texting is not only cost-effective but also provides a personalized communication platform that resonates well with voters, especially younger demographics increasingly leaning on mobile connectivity. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the utility of digital platforms like SMS for voter outreach when traditional methods were constrained.

Potential future trends in political messaging

Future trends point toward more sophisticated segmentation and personalized messaging aimed at specific voter blocks to enhance engagement and turnout. Enhanced video texting and individual link-tracking features are poised to make messages stand out while offering precise engagement metrics. Additionally, legal compliance and technological advancements will likely shape the landscape, ensuring messages remain both effective and within regulatory bounds. As the technology and strategies continue to evolve, the reliance on SMS marketing in political campaigns is expected to grow, pushing new innovative boundaries in voter communication and outreach.

While these messages have become an efficient tool for campaign engagement, they pose significant challenges for recipients. By understanding the origins and legality of political texts, you can take effective steps to control them. As political messaging trends evolve, maintaining control over personal information and communication preferences remains paramount. For additional details on protecting your privacy and managing unwanted texts, you can explore resources provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and insights on phishing protection from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).