Below are ready-to-copy texts and emails a township or county party organization can send through the 2027 election season: messages to its own committeepersons, and messages to supporters in each precinct who have agreed to hear from the party. Every text is written to stay under 160 characters once you fill in short names (count again after you do), first messages carry "Reply STOP to opt out," and each template has brackets for the details you fill in.
Two ground rules shape all of them. First, texts go from the organization's account, not from individual committeepersons' phones, because a party committee with an EIN and a published filing can be verified through Campaign Verify and an individual committeeperson texting personally cannot. Second, you text only people who opted in on a sheet that says plainly they agree to receive texts, with the date recorded. A voter list, a walk sheet or a petition is not consent. For the reasoning behind both, see texting your precinct: what to send, and from whose account.
For the wider view of local races and the 2027 calendar, see our guide to running for local office in Illinois.
The dates these templates use
- February 23, 2027 track: filing October 19 to 26, 2026; early voting from January 14, 2027.
- April 6, 2027 track: filing November 16 to 23, 2026; early voting from February 25 (or March 12 where a February primary ran).
Fill in the election that applies to your area. When in doubt, send voters to the county clerk or board of election commissioners.
Part 1: Messages to your committeepersons
Your committeepersons are the people your organization works through. Use these for those who agreed to receive texts from the organization. Keep emails for anything long.
Welcome text (first message)
[Org name]: Welcome, [Name]. We'll text committeeperson updates here, a few a month at most. Reply STOP to opt out.
Meeting reminder
[Org name]: Central committee meets [day] at [time], [place]. Reply YES if you'll be there.
Petition drive kickoff
[Org name]: Petitions for [Candidate] are ready. Pick up sheets at [place] by [date]. Filing is [filing dates]. Questions? Reply here.
Petition check-in
[Org name]: How many signatures do you have for [Candidate]? Reply with a number. Sheets due back by [date].
Election judge names
[Org name]: We need judge names for [election]. Neighbors from your own precinct are best. Reply with names and we'll follow up.
Early voting kickoff
[Org name]: Early voting opens [date]. Please remind your precinct this week. Turnout scripts are in your email.
Email: petition season packet
Subject: Petitions for [Candidate], due back [date]
Hi [Name],
[Candidate] is running for [office] in the [February 23 / April 6], 2027 election, and the [Org name] is helping collect signatures. Filing is [filing dates], so we need sheets back by [date].
A few reminders that keep signatures from being struck:
- Signers must be registered at the address they write and must sign for themselves.
- In a party primary, a voter can sign only for one party's candidates.
- You must personally witness every signature on your sheet, and only you can sign its circulator statement, which must be notarized.
- Collect more than you need. Many campaigns aim for 1.5 to 2 times the minimum.
Pick up sheets at [place], or reply and we will get them to you. Thank you for carrying them in your precinct.
[Your name] [Org name]
Email: election judge recruiting
Subject: Election judge names for [election]
Hi [Name],
The county board appoints election judges from lists the county party chairs provide, and the law asks the chair to list people who live in the precinct wherever possible. You know your precinct better than anyone, so we're asking each committeeperson for names.
If you know neighbors who might be good judges, reply with their names and contact information, or send them to [contact]. We'll follow up with the details.
Thank you, [Your name]
For a full judge recruiting sequence, see election judge recruitment by text.
Part 2: Messages to supporters in each precinct
These go to people who signed up with the party, at the door or at an event, on a sheet that says they agree to receive texts. Mention their committeeperson by name; it makes the organization's messages feel local.
First message after a door sign-up
Hi, it's [Org name]. Thanks for signing up with [Committeeperson], your committeeperson. Reply STOP to opt out.
First message after an event sign-up
[Org name]: Thanks for joining us at [event]. We'll send occasional local election updates. Reply STOP to opt out.
Volunteer ask
[Org name]: [Committeeperson] is walking Precinct [#] on [day]. Can you join for an hour? Reply YES and they'll follow up.
Petition help
[Org name]: Could you carry a petition sheet for [Candidate] on your block? Reply YES and [Committeeperson] will bring one by.
Election judge ask
[Org name]: We need election judges in Precinct [#] for [date]. Interested? Reply YES and [Committeeperson] will follow up.
Early voting reminder
[Org name]: Early voting for the [date] election is open. Check your county clerk's site for locations and hours.
Primary reminder
[Org name]: The [date] primary is when the party picks its candidates. Make a plan to vote. Questions? Reply here.
Election Day morning
[Org name]: It's Election Day. Polls are open until [time]. Not sure where you vote? Reply and we'll help.
After the election
[Org name]: Thank you for voting and for helping in Precinct [#]. [Committeeperson] will be in touch about what's next.
Email: introducing the committeeperson
Subject: Meet your precinct committeeperson
Hi [First name],
Thanks for signing up with the [Org name]. Your precinct committeeperson is [Committeeperson], who lives in the neighborhood and is your contact for questions about local elections and the party.
Over the next few months we'll send a few updates about the [February 23 / April 6], 2027 election: when early voting opens, where to check your polling place, and ways to help if you'd like to.
You can reach [Committeeperson] at [contact], or reply to this email.
Thank you, [Your name] [Org name]
Part 3: Replies committeepersons can send from the inbox
When supporters reply, committeepersons can answer from the shared inbox, which keeps the conversation on the organization's account.
Hi [Name], [Committeeperson] here. Your polling place is on the county clerk's site. Want me to send the link?
Thanks, [Name]! I'll stop by [day] with a petition sheet. Does the afternoon work?
Got it, [Name]. I've passed your name to the county party as a possible election judge.
What not to send
- Texts to people who did not opt in. Not everyone on a petition, a voter list or a walk sheet.
- Late-night messages. Schedule within reasonable hours.
- Personal-phone blasts from committeepersons. They cannot be verified as individuals, and the precinct's history leaves with them.
- Long messages. If it needs more than 160 characters, it probably belongs in an email.
Sending these with CampaignCNX+
Set up the organization's account and send from it. In CampaignCNX+, carrier registration (10DLC and toll-free) is filed for you, with guidance through Campaign Verify. Campaign Verify costs $95 per two-year cycle and needs the organization's EIN and its published election-authority filing. Requests made before November 15, 2026 expire January 31, 2027; requests made on or after November 15, 2026 last to January 31, 2029, so time yours with that in mind.
Once you are set up, add committeepersons as team members with roles (admin, manager, staffer). The organization sends the scheduled messages, using quiet-hours scheduling so nothing goes out late at night, and replies land in a shared inbox the team works, where each committeeperson can answer the people in their own precinct. STOP replies are handled automatically. SMS and MMS are both supported, so a flyer image for an event can go out as MMS.
Pricing starts small: pay as you go at $0.06 per SMS and $0.15 per MMS, Basic at $55 a month with 1,000 SMS, Pro at $225 a month with 5,000 SMS ($0.045 after), and Enterprise at $695 a month with 20,000 SMS for larger county organizations. To start, 100 free SMS included. Your number is $5 a month. For Illinois organizations, through January 31, 2027, we are offering 1,000 free texts with a month of Pro, plus white-glove setup for $149 (normally $299).
Put your precinct messages on one account
These templates work best from one verified organization account, with committeepersons answering their own neighbors from a shared inbox. See how CampaignCNX+ works for Illinois political texting, or start your organization's trial and load your first templates this week.