Political Campaigns Use Generative AI for Voter Texting

Political campaigns are increasingly utilizing text messages to mobilize voters and solicit donations through microtargeting based on public donation records and voter registration databases. While many voters find these messages intrusive, they remain a low-cost and effective tool for candidates. Some campaigns have integrated generative AI to identify targets and conduct automated conversations, a service provided by firms such as Vector Political. A study by the company suggests that disclosing the use of AI can actually increase voter response rates.

Legal protections for these practices include an exemption from the Do Not Call Registry for political speech. Additionally, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in 2021 that unsolicited text messages do not violate federal robocall restrictions. In California, state law requires campaigns to disclose the use of AI and include paid-for disclosures to help voters distinguish legitimate outreach from scams.

Voters can reduce the volume of messages by replying STOP, filtering unknown numbers, or voting early to be removed from active contact lists. Those who believe federal rules have been violated can report the messages to the Federal Communications Commission. The scale of this outreach is significant, with the app Robokiller estimating that Americans received 15 billion political texts in 2022.