Best Practices for Compliant Political SMS Campaigns (TCPA Checklist + Examples)

Why Compliant Political SMS Matters

Every election cycle, some campaigns receive complaints, and sometimes lawsuits, because they did not take the rules for political SMS (text messages) seriously. The federal Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) carries penalties of $500 to $1,500 per unsolicited text message. A campaign that sends 10,000 non-compliant texts could face $5 million to $15 million in potential liability.

Political campaigns do have certain TCPA exemptions that businesses do not. However, those exemptions are narrower than many campaign staff assume, and the rules keep getting stricter. We recommend treating compliance as an advantage rather than a burden.

The Political SMS TCPA Checklist for 2026

Use this checklist before you begin any political SMS campaign:

1. Consent and Opt-In

• Prior express consent is required (the person's clear permission, given in advance) for all automated text messages to cell phones, even for political campaigns
• Collect consent explicitly: A checked box on a form saying "By providing your phone number, you consent to receive text messages from [Campaign Name]" is the minimum
• Keep records: For every phone number, store the date and time of consent, the source (web form, petition, event sign-up) and the exact consent language
• Separate consent from other actions: Do not hide SMS consent inside a donation receipt or petition signature without clear disclosure

2. Message Content Requirements

• Identify yourself in the first message: The first message to any contact must include the campaign or organization name
• Include opt-out instructions: Add "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" to your first message and repeat it periodically in later messages
• Keep messages relevant: Send content related to the purpose for which consent was given
• No deceptive content: Do not impersonate other campaigns, candidates or government agencies

3. Opt-Out Management

• Process STOP requests within 24 hours (ideally, immediately)
• Recognize variations: STOP, QUIT, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE and END should all remove the person from your list
• Confirm the opt-out: Send one final message confirming that the person has been removed
• Never re-add opted-out contacts: Even if they sign a new petition or attend another event, do not add them back without new, explicit consent

4. Timing Restrictions

• No texts before 8 AM or after 9 PM in the recipient's local time zone
• Account for time zone differences: If your list covers more than one time zone, schedule each time zone separately
• Respect quiet periods: Some states have additional restrictions on Election Day texting

5. Technical Requirements

• Register with 10DLC: All application-to-person (A2P) political messaging, meaning texts sent through software, must use 10DLC (a standard local number registered with the carriers for texting) and a campaign registered with The Campaign Registry (TCR)
• Use a compliant platform: Your texting platform should automatically handle opt-outs, consent records and limits on sending hours
• Maintain a suppression list: Keep a master list of numbers that have opted out (a suppression list) and check it before every send

Compliant Political SMS Examples

These examples show compliant campaign texts:

First message (must identify the campaign and include opt-out instructions):

"Hi {FirstName}, this is {CampaignName} reaching out about the upcoming election in {District}. We'd love your support for {CandidateName}. Reply STOP to opt out."

Fundraising message:

For a complete overview, read the political texting guide.

"{CampaignName}: {FirstName}, our FEC deadline is midnight. We're $3,200 short. Can you chip in $10 to help {CandidateName} fight for {Issue}? {Link} Reply STOP to unsubscribe"

Get-out-the-vote (GOTV) message:

"{CampaignName}: {FirstName}, Election Day is tomorrow. Vote at {PollingLocation}, open 6AM to 7PM. Need a ride? Reply RIDE. Reply STOP to opt out."

Opt-out confirmation:

"You've been unsubscribed from {CampaignName} texts. You will not receive further messages. Reply HELP for assistance."

P2P vs. A2P: Different Compliance Requirements

Peer-to-peer (P2P) texting has traditionally operated under different rules because a person, usually a volunteer, starts each message. However, the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has been examining P2P platforms more closely. If your "P2P" platform sends messages automatically in any way, it may be classified as A2P and held to stricter rules.

Application-to-person (A2P) texting requires:

• 10DLC registration through TCR
• Review of your campaign's use case (the type of messages you send)
• Carrier approval
• Sending limits (throughput) based on your trust score

CampaignCNX+ handles the entire 10DLC registration process and ensures your messages meet carrier requirements before they are sent. This prevents the filtering and blocking that affect many campaigns using non-compliant platforms.

What Happens When You're Not Compliant

Beyond the financial penalties, failing to comply causes practical problems for a campaign:

• Carrier filtering: Carriers actively block non-compliant political messages, so your texts never arrive.
• Voter backlash: Unwanted texts lead to complaints, negative press and criticism on social media, which hurt your candidate.
• Platform bans: Messaging platforms will suspend your account if you violate their acceptable use policies.
• Legal action: TCPA lawsuits can be profitable for plaintiffs' attorneys, and political campaigns are not exempt from class action lawsuits.

State-Level Regulations to Watch

Several states have enacted their own texting regulations that go beyond federal TCPA requirements:

• Florida: Requires written consent (not just verbal) and limits texts to 8 AM to 8 PM
• Oklahoma: Specific disclosure requirements for political texts
• California: The CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) adds data privacy requirements on top of the TCPA
• Washington: Additional consent requirements for automated political messages

Always check your state's specific regulations before launching a TCPA-compliant texting campaign.

Build Compliance Into Your Campaign From Day One

The best campaigns build compliance into their voter contact program from the start instead of adding it at the end. Accurate contact data, proper consent, clear messages and reliable opt-out handling are legal requirements. They are also the foundation of a texting program that reaches voters and earns their trust.

CampaignCNX+ was built with compliance in mind. Automatic opt-out processing, consent tracking, limits on sending hours and 10DLC management are all built in. Start with 100 free SMS and set up your campaign's texting program correctly. You get 100 free SMS to start, and your number is $5 a month. Once you have your Campaign Verify token (the code issued once Campaign Verify confirms your campaign), we file the carrier approval for you. That review usually takes about 3 business days for a toll-free number.

Read more about how CampaignCNX+ helps with state-level rules for political texting in Illinois.