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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.politicalcomms.com/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

This page covers the most common compliance questions. For full detail on each regulation, see the dedicated Compliance Guide.
Yes, when done correctly. P2P texting is 100% legal and TCPA-compliant for political campaigns because it requires human interaction for each message sent. Political messages to personal phones are exempt from certain TCPA restrictions, but you must still follow carrier guidelines, honor opt-outs immediately, and avoid deceptive practices. Always obtain proper consent when possible.

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What is TCPA and how does it affect me?

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) restricts automated calls and texts to protect consumer privacy. While political texts are generally exempt, TCPA still requires:
  1. Honoring opt-out requests
  2. Not using true “auto-dialers” that don’t require human interaction
  3. Not calling before 8 AM or after 9 PM
  4. Identifying your organization clearly
Violations can result in 500to500 to 1,500 per message in penalties.

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Do I need consent to text people?

For political campaigns, prior express consent is not legally required but is strongly recommended to improve engagement and deliverability. Obtain consent through:
  • Website sign-ups
  • Event registrations
  • Keyword opt-ins (e.g., text JOIN to 12345)
  • Petition signatures with SMS opt-in checkbox
  • In-person sign-ups
Document all consent methods. Carriers may filter messages without documented consent.

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What are CTIA Messaging Principles?

CTIA (wireless industry association) established best practices that exceed legal minimums to prevent spam. Key principles: obtain opt-in consent with clear disclosures, provide easy opt-out mechanisms (support STOP keywords), honor opt-outs immediately, don’t share phone numbers between organizations without consent, include sender identification in messages, and monitor for abuse. Following these prevents carrier filtering.

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How do I handle opt-out requests properly?

Opt-outs must be processed immediately (within seconds). Support multiple opt-out methods: reply with STOP/UNSUBSCRIBE/QUIT/CANCEL/END, phone calls, email requests. Maintain updated opt-out lists and check against them before every send. Once opted out, contacts stay opted out permanently unless they explicitly opt back in. Our platform handles this automatically with audit trails.

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Going deeper

Full Compliance Guide

Deep dive into TCPA, FCC, CTIA, 10DLC, and Campaign Verify.

Compliance Checklist

Quick checklist to make sure every campaign stays compliant.