The difference between a text that gets ignored and one that drives action often comes down to small details: the opening line, the ask, the timing. We've put together 90+ text message examples to give you a starting point.
Customize them for your candidate, your district, and your voice.
Before You Start
Every text should include: (1) who you are, (2) why you're texting, and (3) a clear ask or next step. And include opt-out language, such as "Reply STOP to opt out," especially in your first message to someone.
Introduction Texts
8 Examples
First impressions matter. These introduction texts establish who you are and open a conversation without immediately asking for anything.
Hi [First Name], this is Marcus with the Sarah Chen campaign. Sarah's running for State Senate in District 14. We're reaching out to voters in [City] to see what issues matter most to you this election. What's on your mind?
Hey [First Name]! I'm Jamie, a volunteer with Congressman Rodriguez's re-election campaign. I noticed you're in the [Neighborhood] area. Can I share some info about what the Congressman has been working on?
Hi [First Name], I'm reaching out from the Martinez for Mayor campaign. Maria is the only candidate with a real plan for our housing crisis. As a [City] resident, are housing costs affecting you?
Hi [First Name], this is Rachel from the Anderson campaign. David Anderson grew up in [Town] and graduated from [Local High School]. He's running for County Commissioner to bring local voices to the table. Have you heard about his campaign?
Hi [First Name], this is Mike from Yes on Prop 42, the initiative to fund school infrastructure. Have you had a chance to read about Prop 42? I can share what it would mean for [County] schools.
Hi [First Name], this is Tina with the Wilson campaign. Our records show you voted in the 2024 primary—thank you! Senator Wilson is running for re-election and we wanted to check in. Any questions about his record?
Hi [First Name], big news—the [Local Union/Organization] just endorsed Lisa Park for City Council! Lisa is a former teacher fighting for working families. Can we count on your support?
Hey [First Name]! Quick question—have you been following the race for Sheriff? I'm texting from the Garcia campaign and we're talking to voters about public safety priorities.
Questions tend to draw more replies than statements. "What issues matter to you?" invites an answer; "Here's why you should support us" doesn't.
Voter ID & Persuasion
10 Examples
These messages help you identify supporters, opponents, and undecideds—then move undecideds toward your candidate.
Hi [First Name], this is Kevin from the Thompson campaign. With the election coming up, we're checking in with voters. On a scale of 1-5, how likely are you to support Emily Thompson for Congress? (1=not likely, 5=definitely supporting)
Hi [First Name], quick survey from the Harris campaign—what's the #1 issue for you this election? Reply: A) Economy B) Healthcare C) Education D) Climate E) Something else
I haven't decided yet
Totally understand—it's a big decision. What would help you decide? I can share info on [Candidate]'s positions on specific issues.
Hi [First Name], did you know that while [Opponent] voted against lowering prescription drug costs, Julia Rivera has made healthcare affordability her top priority? Here's her plan: [link]
[First Name]—Councilwoman Brown secured $2.3M for road repairs in our district last year, including the fix on [Local Street]. She delivers. Can she count on your vote Nov 5?
Hi [First Name], James Lee here—I'm running for School Board. As a dad of 3 kids at Lincoln Elementary, I see every day what our schools need. What concerns do you have about our district?
I usually vote Republican
Appreciate your honesty! Judge Martinez has earned endorsements from both parties because he focuses on fairness, not politics. Would you be open to hearing about his record on [specific issue]?
Hi [First Name], the flooding on Oak Street has gotten worse every year. Sarah Kim is the only candidate with an actual infrastructure plan. Are you concerned about flooding in your area?
[First Name], Maria Gonzalez believes every kid deserves a quality education, regardless of zip code. That's why she's fighting for universal Pre-K. Do you support expanding early childhood education?
Yes I support Thompson!
Awesome! Thanks for your support. Can we add you to our list for Election Day reminders? We want to make sure every supporter votes. Reply YES to confirm.
Fundraising Appeals
8 Examples
Text fundraising works best when it's timely, specific, and creates urgency. These examples show how to ask for money without being pushy.
[First Name], FEC deadline in 48 hours! We're $2,400 short of our goal. Any amount helps—$5, $10, $25. Can you chip in before midnight tomorrow? [link]
BREAKING: A supporter is matching all donations up to $5,000 until midnight! Your $25 becomes $50. Help us hit the match: [link]
[First Name]—Did you see the debate last night? Rep. Davis crushed it. Donations are pouring in for his opponent. We need to respond NOW. Can you give $10? [link]
Hi [First Name], we need 50 more donors by Friday to fund our final mail piece. We're at 47. Can you be one of the 3 we need? Even $5 counts toward our goal: [link]
[First Name], thanks again for your $25 donation in March. You helped us win that primary! Now we face a tough general—can you give again to keep the momentum going? [link]
[First Name], our opponent just launched a $50K attack ad full of lies. We need to respond on the air before it sticks. Rush $15 to fight back: [link]
[First Name], I know times are tight. But if just 100 people give $3 today, we can print door hangers for every house in Ward 5. Can you spare $3? [link]
[First Name], it's Maya—I'm texting supporters directly because we hit a wall. We're $800 short of making payroll this week. I hate asking, but can you help? Even $10 matters right now. -Maya [link]
Don't Overdo It
Fundraising texts work best when used sparingly—2-3 per month max for most supporters. Constant asks lead to opt-outs and donor fatigue.
Volunteer Recruitment
6 Examples
Converting supporters into volunteers requires making the ask easy and specific. Tell them exactly what you need and when.
Hi [First Name], we need 3 more volunteers for door-knocking this Saturday 10am-1pm in [Neighborhood]. Snacks provided! Can you join us? Reply YES to sign up.
[First Name], can you make calls from home? We have a virtual phone bank Thursday 6-8pm. All you need is a phone and laptop. Training included. Interested?
Hey [First Name], want to help but can't door-knock? Join our text team! Send messages to voters from your couch. 1-hour commitment. Sign up: [link]
[First Name], you said you support Senator Williams—thank you! We're looking for supporters to host yard signs. Can we drop one off at your address? Reply YES if interested.
URGENT: We just had 2 canvassers cancel for tomorrow's door-knock in [Area]. We can't let those doors go unvisited. Can you fill in? 9am-12pm. Reply YES!
[First Name], you're confirmed for Saturday's canvass! Meet at 123 Main St at 10am. Park in the back lot. Wear comfy shoes. See you there! Reply CANCEL if plans change.
Event Invitations
6 Examples
Text invites are easy to act on. Send them close to the event date and include all the details.
Hi [First Name], Councilwoman Adams is hosting a Town Hall on Thursday at 7pm at the Community Center. Come ask questions about the new budget. RSVP: [link]
[First Name]—Join us Saturday for our Get Out the Vote Rally! Special guests, free food, music. Riverside Park, 2pm. Bring friends! RSVP: [link]
Hi [First Name], you're invited to a reception with Judge Martinez next Tuesday, 6-8pm. $50 suggested donation, but all supporters welcome. RSVP for address: [link]
Reminder: Town Hall with Rep. Chen is TOMORROW at 7pm. Library Main Branch, 200 Oak St. Free parking behind the building. See you there!
[First Name], join our virtual Q&A with Sarah tonight at 8pm! She'll answer questions on education policy. Join from your phone: [Zoom link]
TODAY: Rally starts in 3 hours! Riverside Park at 2pm. Parking fills fast—arrive early or carpool. We'll save you a spot near the stage if you come early!
GOTV & Voting Reminders
10 Examples
This is where texting shines brightest. GOTV messages drive action when it matters most.
[First Name], early voting starts TODAY! Beat the lines by voting this week. Your nearest location: [Location]. Open 8am-6pm. Plan to vote early?
[First Name], Election Day is tomorrow! Your polling place: Lincoln Elementary, 500 Oak St. Open 7am-8pm. Don't forget your ID. Need a ride? Reply RIDE.
Good morning [First Name]! It's Election Day. Polls are open NOW until 8pm. Your spot: Lincoln Elementary. Every vote counts—see you there!
[First Name], have you voted yet? Polls close at 8pm—that's just 5 hours away. Lines are short right now at Lincoln Elementary. Go vote for Sarah Chen!
POLLS CLOSE IN 1 HOUR! [First Name], if you haven't voted, please go NOW. Your vote for Rep. Martinez matters. Lincoln Elementary until 8pm!
[First Name], need a ride to vote? We have volunteers driving voters to polls all day. Reply RIDE with your address and we'll pick you up within 30 mins.
[First Name], our records show you received a mail ballot. Have you sent it back yet? Deadline is Nov 5. Drop it at any ballot box—no stamp needed!
Hi [First Name], records show your ballot hasn't been received yet. Mail deadline has passed but you can still drop it off in person by 8pm Tuesday. Need help finding a drop box?
I already voted!
Amazing, thank you! One more ask: can you remind 3 friends to vote today? Text them their polling location. Every vote matters in this race!
[First Name], here's who we recommend on your ballot: Sarah Chen for Congress, YES on Prop 12, Maria Lopez for Judge. Save this text and bring it to the polls!
Include the specific polling location and hours in GOTV texts. Removing friction (even one Google search) makes it easier to vote.
Response Handling
8 Examples
How you respond to voter replies matters as much as your initial message. Here's how to handle common responses.
Wrong number
Sorry about that! I've removed this number from our list. Have a great day!
Not interested
No problem at all. Thanks for letting me know. Reply STOP anytime to unsubscribe. Take care!
I'm voting for the other guy
I respect that! Is there a specific issue driving your decision? Always happy to share more about where Maria stands if you're open to it.
Tell me more about her healthcare plan
Great question! Sarah supports expanding Medicaid and capping insulin at $35/month. Here's her full healthcare plan: [link]. Any other questions?
Stop texting me! This is harassment!
I apologize for the inconvenience. You've been removed from our list and won't receive further messages. Have a good day.
Where do I vote?
Happy to help! What's your address? I can look up your exact polling location and hours.
I don't live there anymore
Thanks for letting me know! I'll update our records. If you've registered at your new address, don't forget to vote there. Best of luck in your new home!
I love Maria! Already donated!
You're the best! Thank you for your support. Would you be willing to put up a yard sign? We're dropping them off in your area this weekend.
Follow-Up Messages
6 Examples
Following up after initial contact or action increases engagement and builds relationship over time.
[First Name], thanks for coming to the Town Hall last night! If you have more questions, reply here. And if you liked what you heard, would you share this event recap with a friend? [link]
[First Name], your $25 donation just helped us send 500 more door hangers into swing precincts. Thank you! We'll keep you updated on our progress. -Team Sarah
Hey [First Name], you knocked 47 doors on Saturday—amazing work! Our team hit 800 total. Same time next week? We're targeting [Neighborhood]. Reply YES to join.
Hi [First Name], we chatted last week and you mentioned you were undecided. The election is in 2 weeks—any questions I can answer that might help you decide?
[First Name], big news: the [Local Paper] just endorsed Senator Williams! Read their endorsement here: [link]. Can we count on your vote?
[First Name], WE WON! Maria is your new State Representative. Thank you for your support—this wouldn't have happened without you. Now the real work begins.
Primary & Election Reminders
8 Examples
Primary elections have notoriously low turnout. These texts remind voters about upcoming primaries, registration deadlines, and election dates — often the difference between a win and a loss.
[First Name], did you know there's a primary election on March 3? Your vote decides who's on the ballot in November. Your polling place: [Location]. Will you be voting?
⏰ Voter registration deadline is THIS FRIDAY! If you've moved or changed your name, you need to re-register. Check your status here: [link]. Takes 2 minutes.
[First Name], the race went to a runoff! Sarah Chen vs. her opponent, one more time. Runoff date: April 8. Same polling place as the primary. We NEED you to show up again. Can we count on you?
[First Name], early voting for the primary starts Feb 12 and runs through Feb 28. Skip the Election Day lines! Nearest early vote site: [Location], open 8am-6pm. Planning to vote early?
Hi [First Name], quick reminder: [State] has a closed primary. You must be registered as a [Party] to vote in the [Party] primary on March 3. Check your registration: [link]
[First Name], there's a special election on May 6 for the District 7 seat. Turnout will be LOW which means YOUR vote matters even more. Polls open 7am-7pm. Will you vote?
[First Name], you can request an absentee ballot for the primary right now. Deadline: Feb 25. Request online in 3 minutes: [link]. Vote from home — no lines, no waiting.
🗳️ 7 DAYS until Election Day. [First Name], here's your plan: Polls open Nov 5, 7am-8pm. Your location: [Polling Place]. Bring photo ID. Share this with a friend who needs a reminder!
12 More Examples
GOTV is where texting earns its budget. Here are more variations for different scenarios and voter segments.
[First Name], this might be your first election — make it count! Polls are open tomorrow 7am-8pm. Your spot: [Location]. Bring a friend, make it a thing. 🗳️
[First Name], we know you don't vote in every election. But this one is close — fewer than 500 votes could decide it. Your voice matters. Polls: [Location], open until 8pm.
[First Name], rain is expected tomorrow but the polls are STILL OPEN 7am-8pm! Don't let weather stop you. Your polling place is indoors at [Location]. Need a ride? Reply RIDE.
[First Name], 4,200 of your neighbors in [District] have already voted! Join them. Your early vote location: [Location]. Open through Friday 6pm.
[First Name], heading to the polls? Grab your household too! Both registered voters at your address can vote at [Location]. Every vote counts in this race.
[First Name], records show you voted — THANK YOU! You're a democracy hero. Know someone who still needs to vote? Polls close at 8pm. Share the love!
[First Name], we haven't seen your mail ballot come back yet. Have you dropped it off or mailed it? [Candidate] needs your vote. Need help finding a drop box? Reply BALLOT.
Hi [First Name], quick reminder from the [Candidate] campaign: your mail ballot isn't marked as returned yet. Please sign it, seal it, and drop it off today. Questions? Reply HELP.
[First Name], early voting ends this Friday! Skip the Election Day crowd and vote at [Location] before then. Can we count on you for [Candidate]?
Last chance to vote early, [First Name]! Polls at [Location] close tonight. Bring your ID and take 15 minutes for [Candidate]. Need a ride? Reply RIDE.
[First Name], polls close at 7pm and you still have time. Your spot: [Location]. Get in line before 7 and you can vote. [Candidate] is counting on you!
Hi [First Name], this is [Candidate]'s team. Polls close at 7pm tonight. If you haven't voted yet, please head to [Location] now. Every vote counts. Reply RIDE if you need a lift.
4 More Examples
[First Name], FEC quarterly deadline is in 6 HOURS. Our opponent will use their numbers to attack us. We need 23 more donors. Can you be one? Even $5 counts: [link]
[First Name], would you consider $10/month until Election Day? That's just 8 months of steady support that helps us plan ahead. Set up recurring: [link]
🎉 We just hit 1,000 individual donors! [First Name], you helped make this happen. Can we push to 1,100 by Friday? Share this with one friend: [link]
[First Name], new poll has us down by just 2 points—within the margin! This race is WINNABLE but we need resources to close the gap. Rush $15 now: [link]
4 More Examples
[First Name], do you speak Spanish? We need bilingual volunteers for voter outreach in [Area] this weekend. 2-hour shifts, flexible timing. Reply YES if you can help!
[First Name], want to help from home? Join our
text banking team! Send texts to voters from your phone or laptop. 1-hour commitment, no experience needed. Sign up: [link]
[First Name], we're delivering yard signs this Saturday in [Neighborhood]. Want one? Reply with your address and we'll drop it off. Free! Help us show our strength.
[First Name], we need poll greeters on Election Day! Stand outside [Location] from 7-10am or 4-8pm and hand out our sample ballot. Training takes 10 min. Can you commit to one shift?
4 More Examples
[First Name], your neighbor [Host Name] is hosting a meet-and-greet with Sarah Chen this Thursday at 7pm. Small group, casual, light refreshments. RSVP for the address: [link]
[First Name], watch the debate with us! Debate watch party at [Venue], Wednesday 8pm. Free food, great company, live reaction. Bring a friend! RSVP: [link]
[First Name], BIG canvass this Saturday! We're knocking 2,000 doors across [District]. Meet at campaign HQ (123 Main St) at 9am. Pizza lunch provided. Reply YES to RSVP!
[First Name], join us on Election Night! Watch the results come in with the team at [Venue], doors open at 7pm. Win or lose, we celebrate the fight. RSVP: [link]
Additional Voter ID & Survey Examples
4 More Examples
Hi [First Name], quick question: Do you support building a new community center on the proposed site on Oak Street? Reply YES, NO, or UNSURE. Your input matters to Councilwoman Adams.
[First Name], if you could fix ONE thing in [City], what would it be? A) Roads & infrastructure B) Public safety C) Schools D) Property taxes E) Jobs & economy. Reply with your letter!
Hi [First Name], have you heard of Maria Gonzalez, who's running for State Representative in District 22? Reply: 1) Yes, supporting her 2) Yes, not sure yet 3) No, who is she?
[First Name], Prop 12 would raise the minimum wage to $15. Do you support it? Reply YES, NO, or NEED INFO. We can send you a fact sheet either way.
Compliance: What Every Campaign Must Know
Texting without following the rules can lead to blocked numbers, carrier penalties, or lawsuits. Here's an overview.
TCPA & P2P Texting
The FCC says political texts sent to a cell phone with an autodialer require the recipient's prior express consent, while messages sent manually can be sent without prior consent. Whether a P2P texting platform counts as an autodialer depends on how it works, and some state laws define it differently. Either way, the FCC says campaigns should honor STOP requests. Learn more in our guide to political texting.
Required Opt-Out Language
CTIA's Messaging Principles expect senders to say in the message how to opt out, using standard STOP wording, and to act on plain-language replies like stop, end, unsubscribe, cancel, or quit. Standard language:
Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg&Data rates may apply.
10DLC Registration Required
Carriers require 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) texting to be registered through The Campaign Registry, and since 2021 some carriers have required political 527 organizations to get a Campaign Verify token. Unregistered traffic may be filtered or blocked. VoterPing's 10DLC campaign verification service is $150, which includes Campaign Verify's $95 fee. Read our Campaign Verify guide.
Good Practices
- Always honor STOP requests immediately. Remove the number from all lists and send a single confirmation, then no more messages.
- Identify your campaign in every initial text. "This is [Name] from the [Candidate] campaign." Carriers and CTIA guidance expect clear sender identification.
- Don't text early in the morning or late at night in the recipient's time zone. Some state laws limit the hours for certain calls and texts, so check your state's rules. It's also common courtesy.
- Keep records of consent. For broadcast texts, document when and how each recipient opted in.
- Register your 10DLC. Carriers may filter or block unregistered 10DLC traffic.
- Don't use shared short codes for political messaging. Use a registered number type (10DLC, short code, or toll-free); Campaign Verify issues a separate token for each.
This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your campaign's counsel.
Tips for Writing Effective Political Texts
Good texting is both an art and a science. Here are principles that hold up across campaigns.
The Anatomy of a Perfect Political Text
- Lead with the voter's name. "[First Name]" at the start makes the text feel personal.
- Identify yourself in the first sentence. "This is [Your Name] from the [Campaign]" — mystery texts get deleted.
- State your purpose clearly. Don't bury the ask. What do you want them to do?
- Keep it under 160 characters when possible. Short texts feel personal. Long texts feel like spam.
- End with a question or clear CTA. "Can we count on your vote?" gets responses. A statement doesn't.
- Sound human. Use contractions, casual language, and sentence fragments. "Hey" > "Greetings."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't ask for too much at once. One text, one ask. Don't request a donation AND a volunteer shift AND a vote.
- Don't over-text. 2-3 messages per week max during peak season. Less during off-peaks.
- Don't ignore replies. If someone asks a question, answer it. Dead conversations hurt your brand.
- Don't send generic messages. Use merge fields, reference local issues, mention their precinct. Personalization matters.
- Don't forget mobile formatting. No giant paragraphs. Break long messages into 2-3 sentences max.
A/B test everything. Send two versions of the same message to small groups, measure response rates, then send the winner to the rest of your list. Even small differences in wording can change response rates.
Ready to put these examples to work? VoterPing's P2P texting platform and text banking tools make it easy to send messages like these at scale. Check out our complete voter outreach solutions for a multi-channel approach.
Best Practices: What Makes These Work
Looking at all 90+ examples, a few patterns emerge that make political texts effective:
- Lead with the name. "[First Name]" at the start personalizes instantly.
- Identify yourself fast. Say who you are in the first sentence. Mystery texts get ignored.
- One clear ask. Don't ask for a donation AND a volunteer shift AND a vote in the same text. Pick one.
- Keep it short. Under 160 characters is ideal. Under 300 characters is acceptable. Longer loses people.
- Make it conversational. Use contractions, casual language, and sentence fragments. Sound like a human.
- Include specifics. "Saturday at 10am" beats "this weekend." "Lincoln Elementary" beats "your polling place."
- End with a question or ask. Give them something to respond to. Open loops get more engagement.
Copy these templates, customize them for your campaign, and A/B test variations to find what works best with your voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a political text message say?
It should say who is sending it, why you're texting, and one clear ask, such as vote, reply, donate, or volunteer. Add a reply prompt or link, and include opt-out wording like "Reply STOP to opt out," especially in a first message. See The Anatomy of a Perfect Political Text above.
How long should a campaign text be?
Keep it under 160 characters when possible. Short texts feel personal and long texts feel like spam. Under 300 characters is acceptable, but longer messages lose people.
What is a good "please vote" text?
Keep it short, name the voter, and give the location and hours. Two samples from the GOTV section: "[First Name], early voting starts TODAY! Beat the lines by voting this week. Your nearest location: [Location]. Open 8am-6pm. Plan to vote early?" and "Good morning [First Name]! It's Election Day. Polls are open NOW until 8pm. Your spot: Lincoln Elementary. Every vote counts—see you there!" Browse more in GOTV & Voting Reminders.
Do political texts need opt-out language?
CTIA's Messaging Principles expect senders to say in the message how to opt out, using standard STOP wording, and to act on plain-language replies like stop, end, unsubscribe, cancel, or quit. Standard language: "Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg&Data rates may apply." This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to your campaign's counsel.