Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Phentex

(16,504 posts)
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 03:41 PM Dec 2020

Do you respond to political text messages?

I've been getting them for months. The Dems want me to vote absentee ballot. The Repubs send messages about voting for their candidates. Most of the time, the messages are sent to a name that isn't mine.

I just read that these are sent from real people and not automated systems (I don't know if that's true or not). I usually ignore them but have answered some from time to time.

This is one I got today:


Warnock's attacks on our military are disgusting! See for yourself: (link to video that I did not click on).

Vote Loeffler & Perdue!

I'm Amy with TP/Action. Text STOP 2opt-out

------

I googled TP Action (an unfortunate sounding name) and it's for Turning Point Action.

I decided to respond by telling Amy why she should vote for Ossoff and Perdue. I did not give her the opt out.

Should I keep reminding her? Should I ask if she plans to vote by absentee ballot?



14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Do you respond to political text messages? (Original Post) Phentex Dec 2020 OP
I ignore them. grumpyduck Dec 2020 #1
Delete I un-subscribed to e-mails over a week ago today I got 55 e-mails even one from Trump. doc03 Dec 2020 #2
these are text messages... Phentex Dec 2020 #6
I don't get them. 2naSalit Dec 2020 #3
lucky! Phentex Dec 2020 #4
You know what? 2naSalit Dec 2020 #13
When I get ones MLAA Dec 2020 #5
ha! Phentex Dec 2020 #8
I have gotten quite a few of them. Laelth Dec 2020 #7
I did phone banking in the early days of cell phones... Phentex Dec 2020 #9
I opt out when given the option, but I usually give them a positive response first. klook Dec 2020 #10
I've said the same about the mail, too... Phentex Dec 2020 #11
My cell phone number still has a Georgia area code hauckeye Dec 2020 #12
I dont get texts but TONS of emails! Every one Ive opened were for fund- napi21 Dec 2020 #14

doc03

(36,709 posts)
2. Delete I un-subscribed to e-mails over a week ago today I got 55 e-mails even one from Trump.
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 03:48 PM
Dec 2020

If I got a couple I would maybe read them I just click all and delete.

Phentex

(16,504 posts)
6. these are text messages...
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 03:57 PM
Dec 2020

but once you donate to someone, you are on a thousand email lists for sure!

Phentex

(16,504 posts)
4. lucky!
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 03:56 PM
Dec 2020

I delete them but it's understandable. People are really worried that some people won't vote.

I get more from Dems for sure which I take as a good sign.

2naSalit

(92,728 posts)
13. You know what?
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 05:08 PM
Dec 2020

I didn't realize I was in the Georgia group! I was getting sleepy and had to take a nap and didn't notice that part.

I bet that if I were in Georgia, I would be getting them! Many of the text messages I did get during the election season had an option to turn them off by responding with the word STOP. I only had to do that twice and I got no more texts.

MLAA

(18,602 posts)
5. When I get ones
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 03:56 PM
Dec 2020

that appear to be from live Democratic volunteers I try and respond by thanking them for volunteering. Most of the time I get a quick reply back thanking me for acknowledging them. When I a rare one from repug organization I send back a sentence or two that makes me feel better like ‘why would I vote for xyz I’m not a selfish asshole’. I’ve never gotten a reply from them 😬

Laelth

(32,017 posts)
7. I have gotten quite a few of them.
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 03:58 PM
Dec 2020

I am no longer eligible to vote in GA, and I tell them so in hopes that they will not continue to waste time on me. Every time I have responded, the person on the other end has texted me back with an appropriate response. Those are not bots. They’re real people texting for the candidates that they support.

-Laelth

Phentex

(16,504 posts)
9. I did phone banking in the early days of cell phones...
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 04:06 PM
Dec 2020

I'm not sure texting was a thing back then. We just met in groups and called people on a list. Most people were kind like you.

klook

(12,887 posts)
10. I opt out when given the option, but I usually give them a positive response first.
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 04:13 PM
Dec 2020

So a lot of my text exchanges with volunteers read like this:

Volunteer: "Hi, klook! I'm (So-And-So) with (Organization). I want to make sure you're registered to vote and that you have a plan to vote for Ossoff, Warnock, and Blackman on or before January 5th! Can we count on your support?

Text STOP to opt out."

Occasionally they follow up and ask me to make sure at least two friends and family members will vote -- which I always say I've already done (which is true).

Me: "Yes. Thanks for your efforts."

Me: "STOP"



Then I add their phone number to a Contact I've labeled "Political Spam," which has about 150 numbers assigned to it!

Sheesh, obviously none of these organizations check anything except that you're a voter who has been identified as a likely Dem. It would be ridiculously easy for somebody to mark me in a database as a registered Democratic voter who ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS votes, in every local, state, and national primary, election, and runoff. But no-o-o-o, I have to get texts and calls from dozens of volunteers every election cycle.

Whatever, it's just a fact of modern life. I just wish they wouldn't waste so much collective time and effort on rock-solid reliable voters like me.

Phentex

(16,504 posts)
11. I've said the same about the mail, too...
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 04:18 PM
Dec 2020

I guess I should look at it like it's helping the post office but I cannot count the number of ballot applications I've received along with letters and postcards. I donate to candidates so anyone can see I vote for Democrats. I'd like them to save their money and go after new voters or voters in redder areas.

hauckeye

(723 posts)
12. My cell phone number still has a Georgia area code
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 04:50 PM
Dec 2020

Even though I moved away 5 years ago. I never got a new number. So I’m getting tons of text messages to vote in the special election. Sometimes I answer that I don’t live in Georgia anymore and sometimes I just ignore.

napi21

(45,806 posts)
14. I dont get texts but TONS of emails! Every one Ive opened were for fund-
Sat Dec 19, 2020, 07:59 PM
Dec 2020

raising. I have sent a little money to the Dem candidates when I could, but I delete almost all of them. Hell, I could end up on the darn street if I sent money to reply to ll those emails that ask.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Georgia»Do you respond to politic...