Political campaigning and fundraising through text messages are standard practices today. In fact, almost 2 billion texts about the election went out in November 2020. As more people communicate by text, it has become an essential method for reaching voters and building support. More than 78% of people say SMS messaging is the quickest way to reach them. This kind of real-time communication with supporters and volunteers is vital, especially in tight races.

But the role of text messaging in political battlegrounds had to start somewhere. Today, the technology and systems required for sending mass SMS messages are easier to use and more efficient than ever before. By tracing the beginnings of political text message campaigns, we can learn valuable lessons and tips for the next election. Keep reading for a look at one of the earliest and most effective SMS strategies in politics.