US voters face billions of political texts ahead of midterms
A surge of political texts is reaching US voters ahead of the midterm elections, with estimates ranging from 25 billion to 30 billion messages this year. The scale reflects how campaigns use mass messaging to solicit donations, promote candidates and encourage voting, while rules that protect consumers from other unwanted calls and texts do not generally apply to political messages.
Campaigns may get phone numbers from past donations or data brokers, which combine sources such as voter rolls, online tracking and loyalty schemes to build profiles. Consumers can reply “stop”, block and report messages, or complain to regulators about suspected unauthorised autodialling, but these steps may not reduce the volume before election day; experts also advise avoiding links and donating through candidates’ official websites.
In short
- Political texts are flooding US phones before the midterms.
- This year’s volume may reach 25 billion to 30 billion.
- Block or report texts, and avoid unknown links.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Political texts let campaigns reach voters quickly and at relatively low cost, including with voting information, candidate messages and donation appeals. Supporters may argue that broad exemptions protect political speech and give campaigns a practical way to communicate during a short election period.
The case against
The sheer volume can intrude on people’s privacy and attention, while data gathered from donations, voter rolls and commercial tracking may be used to target them without clear consent. Critics may argue that political speech does not justify weak protections against unwanted or misleading messages, and that voters need rules and remedies that work before election day.
Explained simply
US midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term, when voters choose members of Congress and often state and local officials. Campaigns use texts alongside other ways of contacting voters to seek donations, introduce candidates and encourage people to vote.
Campaigns may obtain phone numbers from previous donations or data brokers, which compile information from sources such as voter rolls and online activity. US rules that limit unwanted commercial calls and texts generally treat political messages differently, so protections against them are more limited.
Voters can block or report messages, reply “stop” or complain to regulators if they suspect messages were sent using unauthorised automated systems. These steps may not prevent further texts, and experts advise avoiding links in unsolicited messages and donating through candidates’ official websites.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Here’s why you can’t shake those unhinged political texts”.