Why do I keep getting these weird fundraising texts?
Today, Explained
Deep Dive
Why are people receiving so many political fundraising texts?
Texting is a cheap, easy way to reach people, especially when other channels like email and Facebook have declined in effectiveness.
Why do political campaigns use text messages for fundraising?
Texting allows campaigns to spend extra money efficiently, especially close to Election Day when other ad options are limited.
How did political campaigns get people's phone numbers for texting?
Campaigns buy data from other campaigns or PACs, perform data appends, use voter file data, or scrape FEC data illegally.
Why do political text messages often have an urgent or unhinged tone?
The urgency and intensity are designed to maximize attention and response, often by less reputable organizations or PACs.
Do political fundraising texts actually work?
Yes, they do work, especially due to the low cost of texting, making the return on investment high.
Who is most likely to be targeted by these unhinged political texts?
Older people are primarily targeted, especially those more likely to fall for recurring donations or scams.
Are there rules for sending political text messages?
Yes, but enforcement is weak. The main system, 10-DLC registration, is often bypassed, and TCPA fines are only effective if pursued individually.
What can people do to stop receiving political text messages?
Get on the do not call list, forward texts to 7726, and send TCPA demand letters to the senders.
Why is polling still relevant in elections?
Polling provides a statistical tool to measure public opinion, correct biases, and supplement reporting with empirical data.
How do we know if a poll is accurate?
Look at the pollster's reputation, margin of error, and compare results with other polls. Accuracy can only be truly judged after the fact.
- Campaign text messages are often sent by consulting firms with specific strategies.
- The tone and urgency of these texts are designed to grab attention.
- There is a hypothesis that these texts may be more effective on older generations.
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