If you’ve noticed more political text messages coming to your phone, you’re not alone. As we head closer to political season, it’s about to get worse. An app that tracks text messages said just before the 2020 election voters received 3 billion texts nationwide.
Jim Gunther of North Fort Myers said political text messages are starting to trickle into his phone, but he expects more as the election draws near. He said many of his political texts come in after he’s gone to bed.
“I put my phone on silent, so I don’t let it bother me. In the morning I clear everything out,” Gunter explained.
Emma May said she gets the texts at all hours of the day and admits that most of them she never even reads.
“I think for me it’s more white noise because I get so many messages and calls from people, I don’t know… that are all spam these days,” May said.
Political consultant Terry Miller said those text messages are no different than a TV commercial that can be tuned out.
Miller uses political text messages and believes they’re effective, saying they put the campaign directly into the hand of the voter.
However, Florida cracked down on political text messages in 2022, requiring they be sent individually and not in masses.
“You’re not loading in 100k numbers pressing one button and they all go out,” Miller said.
Some voters wonder why they’re receiving the texts when they’re on the do-not-call list.
“The do-not-call list does not apply to the political campaigns. They are one of the most protected forms of free speech,” Miller explained.
Miller also said it is legal for campaigns to send text messages at any hour of the day, even late at night.
“Is that a good strategy? The answer is no. Is it legal? The answer is yes,” Miller said.
If you want to stop these annoying political text messages, just respond by typing the word “stop” or “unsubscribe”.
Finally, the FCC recommends you report a campaign if you suspect it may be violating the auto-dialing rule.
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