The Ultimate Checklist of Political Texting Best Practices for the 2026 Elections

The 2026 midterm elections will be won or lost on the margins. With control of Congress, governorships, and state legislatures at stake, campaigns cannot afford mistakes in their voter contact programs.

Peer-to-peer texting has become a cornerstone of modern campaign strategy, but execution matters. The difference between a high-performing texting program and a wasteful one comes down to following proven best practices.

This comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to run a world-class P2P texting operation for the 2026 elections - from initial planning through Election Day execution.

Pre-Campaign Planning (6-12 Months Before Election)

Platform Selection

• Evaluate platforms based on core criteria

  • 95%+ delivery rates
  • Isolated opt-out lists (not shared)
  • Native CRM integration (NGP VAN/EveryAction)
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
  • 24-48 hour 10DLC registration
  • Volunteer management features

• Request demos from 3-5 platforms

  • Test actual interface (not just sales deck)
  • Ask technical questions about delivery and compliance
  • Request references from recent campaigns

• Verify compliance features

  • Automatic opt-out processing
  • Required disclosure templates
  • TCPA compliance tools
  • Data privacy and security measures

• Confirm integration capabilities

  • Two-way CRM sync
  • Survey response updates
  • Contact history logging
  • Custom field mapping

Budget and Resource Planning

• Calculate texting budget

  • Estimate total messages needed (voter universe × average touches)
  • Factor in per-message costs ($0.015-$0.03)
  • Budget for 10DLC registration ($15-$25)
  • Include volunteer recruitment/training costs

• Determine volunteer needs

  • Calculate messages per volunteer per hour (60-120)
  • Estimate total volunteer hours needed
  • Plan recruitment strategy

• Allocate staff resources

  • Assign texting program manager
  • Designate volunteer coordinators
  • Identify subject matter experts for complex replies

10DLC Registration (Start Early!)

• Complete brand registration

  • Gather required information (EIN, organization details)
  • Submit to The Campaign Registry
  • Timeline: 24-48 hours with good platform

• Register campaign use cases

  • GOTV messaging
  • Fundraising
  • Volunteer recruitment
  • Event promotion

• Verify registration approval

  • Confirm campaign IDs
  • Test message delivery
  • Ensure carrier approval across AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile

⚠️ Critical: Start 10DLC registration at least 30 days before you need to send messages. Don't wait until the final week.

List Building and Data Management (3-6 Months Before)

Contact List Development

• Build opt-in lists proactively

  • Website sign-up forms with clear SMS opt-in
  • Event registration forms
  • Door-to-door canvassing opt-ins
  • Digital ad campaigns driving to SMS opt-in
  • Social media lead generation

• Segment your universe strategically

  • Turnout propensity (high/medium/low)
  • Support level (strong/lean/persuadable)
  • Demographics (age, location)
  • Voting method (in-person/early/absentee)
  • Engagement history (donors, volunteers, past contacts)

• Clean and validate contact data

  • Remove landlines (can't receive texts)
  • Verify phone number formats
  • Remove duplicates
  • Validate against opt-out lists
  • Check for invalid numbers

Data Hygiene

• Establish data quality standards

  • Required fields: First name, phone number
  • Recommended fields: Polling location, support level, turnout score
  • Custom fields for personalization

• Set up CRM integration

  • Connect P2P platform to NGP VAN/EveryAction
  • Configure two-way data sync
  • Map custom fields
  • Test survey response updates

• Create opt-out management process

  • Ensure automatic processing
  • Sync opt-outs to CRM immediately
  • Add to permanent suppression list
  • Respect opt-outs across all campaigns

Message Development (2-3 Months Before)

Message Strategy

• Define campaign messaging objectives

  • Persuasion vs. GOTV vs. fundraising vs. volunteer recruitment
  • Key issues and talking points
  • Candidate differentiation

• Develop message templates

  • Create 5-10 core message templates
  • Include dynamic fields ({FirstName}, {PollingLocation})
  • Write for conversational tone (not formal ads)
  • Keep under 160 characters for SMS (or 300 for longer messages)

• Craft segment-specific messages

  • High-propensity voters: Brief reminders
  • Low-propensity voters: Detailed persuasion + assistance
  • Young voters: Issue-focused, casual tone
  • Seniors: Detailed info, respectful tone

Message Content Best Practices

• Include required elements

  • Clear sender identification (campaign name)
  • Opt-out instructions (first message)
  • Truthful, non-deceptive content

• Avoid spam triggers

  • Don't use ALL CAPS
  • Limit excessive punctuation!!!
  • Avoid too many emojis
  • Use branded short links (not generic bit.ly)

• Optimize for engagement

  • Ask questions (encourage replies)
  • Provide specific information (polling location, hours)
  • Create urgency where appropriate
  • Include clear calls to action

Testing and Optimization

• Set up A/B testing framework

  • Test message variations (2-3 versions)
  • Test sending times (morning vs. evening)
  • Test personalization levels (name only vs. full personalization)
  • Measure response rates, opt-outs, conversions

• Run pilot campaigns

  • Test with 500-1,000 contacts
  • Measure delivery rates, response rates, opt-outs
  • Identify issues before full launch
  • Refine messages based on results

Volunteer Recruitment and Training (1-2 Months Before)

Volunteer Recruitment

• Calculate volunteer needs

  • Total messages to send ÷ 100 messages per volunteer = volunteers needed
  • Add 20% buffer for no-shows

• Recruit volunteers

  • Email existing volunteer list
  • Text previous volunteers
  • Social media callouts
  • In-person event recruitment
  • Staff friends and family

• Create volunteer roles

  • Texter (sends messages, manages replies)
  • Team lead (monitors quality, answers questions)
  • Supervisor (overall program management)

Volunteer Training

• Develop training materials

  • Written guide (PDF or web page)
  • Video tutorials (5-10 minutes)
  • FAQs document
  • Talking points and issue briefs

• Conduct training sessions

  • 30-45 minute virtual training
  • Platform walkthrough
  • Practice sending test messages
  • Role-play difficult conversations
  • Review compliance rules

• Create accountability structure

  • Set expectations (response time, message quality)
  • Establish performance metrics
  • Monitor volunteer dashboards
  • Provide feedback and coaching

Quality Control

• Establish message approval process

  • Pre-approved templates for most volunteers
  • Supervisor approval for custom messages
  • Flag inappropriate content automatically

• Monitor volunteer performance

  • Track messages sent per volunteer
  • Monitor response times
  • Check opt-out rates (high rates indicate problems)
  • Review message quality regularly

• Implement escalation procedures

  • Route complex questions to subject matter experts
  • Escalate hostile or threatening replies
  • Flag voters requesting specific follow-up

Campaign Execution (Launch Through Election Day)

Pre-Launch Checklist

• Verify technical setup

  • Test message delivery across all carriers
  • Confirm CRM integration is working
  • Verify dynamic fields populate correctly
  • Test opt-out processing

• Prepare volunteer team

  • Assign message queues
  • Confirm volunteer attendance
  • Review talking points
  • Set performance goals

• Final message review

  • Proofread for typos
  • Verify all links work
  • Confirm dynamic fields are correct
  • Test on multiple devices

Timing Best Practices

• Respect optimal sending windows

  • Weekdays: 9 AM - 9 PM local time
  • Weekends: 10 AM - 8 PM local time
  • Account for recipient time zones
  • Avoid early morning and late night

• Time campaigns strategically

  • Fundraising: End of month/quarter (urgency)
  • GOTV: Multi-touch sequence (10 days out through Election Day)
  • Event promotion: 3-7 days before event
  • Volunteer recruitment: 2-4 weeks before need

• Plan multi-touch sequences

  • Don't send just one message
  • Space messages appropriately (not multiple per day)
  • Increase frequency as urgency grows (Election Day)

Managing Reply Volume

• Staff appropriately for replies

  • High response rate campaigns (GOTV): 15-25% reply
  • Lower response campaigns (broadcast updates): 5-10%
  • Ensure enough volunteers to handle volume

• Establish response time standards

  • Goal: Respond within 5 minutes during active hours
  • Maximum: 30 minutes during campaign hours
  • Set up alerts for unanswered replies

• Create response libraries

  • FAQs with pre-written answers
  • Polling location lookup process
  • Voter registration info
  • Donation links and instructions
  • Volunteer sign-up links

Real-Time Monitoring

• Track key metrics continuously

  • Messages sent vs. delivered (delivery rate)
  • Response rate
  • Opt-out rate (should be under 0.5%)
  • Conversion rate (donations, sign-ups, etc.)

• Identify and fix issues quickly

  • Delivery rate drops → Check carrier issues
  • High opt-out rate → Review message content
  • Low response rate → Test different messages
  • Volunteer inactive → Reassign queue

• Adjust strategy based on data

  • Double down on high-performing messages
  • Pause low-performing campaigns
  • Reallocate volunteers to high-priority queues

GOTV-Specific Best Practices (Final 10 Days)

Early Voting Push (10 Days Before Election)

• Promote early voting aggressively

  • Message early voting locations and hours
  • Emphasize convenience ("beat the rush")
  • Follow up with voters who don't confirm

• Track early voting confirmation

  • Ask voters to confirm when they vote
  • Mark confirmed voters in CRM
  • Exclude from future GOTV messages

Election Day Strategy

• Morning reminder (7-9 AM)

  • Send as polls open
  • Include polling location and hours
  • Create urgency and excitement

• Midday check-in (12-2 PM)

  • "Have you voted yet?"
  • Provide info for those who haven't
  • Thank those who have

• Afternoon social proof (3-5 PM)

  • "Turnout is high! Don't miss out!"
  • Community/precinct-specific messaging

• Final push (5-7 PM)

  • "Polls close at 8 PM - last chance!"
  • Urgent tone
  • Offer rides or assistance

Real-Time Problem Solving

• Prepare for common Election Day issues
  • Long lines → Encourage voters to stay, provide water/snacks info
  • Polling place confusion → Look up correct location
  • ID questions → Provide state requirements
  • Transportation needs → Connect to ride program

Post-Campaign Analysis and Reporting

Data Collection and Analysis

• Gather comprehensive metrics

  • Total messages sent and delivered
  • Response rate by segment
  • Opt-out rate
  • Conversion rate (donations, volunteers, turnout)
  • Cost per result

• Compare to benchmarks

  • Did you hit 95%+ delivery rate?
  • Was response rate 15-20%+?
  • Was opt-out rate under 0.5%?

• Calculate ROI

  • Voter turnout: Cost per additional vote
  • Fundraising: Cost per dollar raised
  • Volunteer recruitment: Cost per volunteer

Lessons Learned

• Document what worked

  • Best-performing message templates
  • Optimal sending times
  • Most effective volunteer practices
  • Successful segmentation strategies

• Identify areas for improvement

  • Technical issues encountered
  • Volunteer training gaps
  • Message content that underperformed
  • Process inefficiencies

• Update playbook for next cycle

  • Incorporate lessons learned
  • Refine message templates
  • Improve volunteer training
  • Optimize processes

Stakeholder Reporting

• Prepare campaign report
  • Executive summary (1 page)
  • Key metrics and benchmarks
  • ROI calculations
  • Success stories and testimonials
  • Recommendations for future campaigns

Compliance Checklist (Ongoing)

TCPA Compliance

• Obtain proper consent

  • Express opt-in (best practice)
  • Or existing relationship
  • Document consent method

• Honor opt-outs immediately

  • Automatic processing within seconds
  • Confirmation message sent
  • Add to permanent suppression list
  • Sync to CRM instantly

• Maintain proper records

  • Consent records (how/when/where)
  • Message logs (who/what/when)
  • Opt-out records
  • Keep for 4+ years

Message Content Compliance

• Include required disclosures

  • Sender identification (campaign name)
  • Opt-out instructions (first message)

• Avoid prohibited content

  • No false or misleading information
  • No deceptive sender identification
  • No spam tactics

Platform Compliance

• Verify platform handles compliance automatically
  • Automatic opt-out processing
  • Required disclosure templates
  • Time zone awareness
  • Opt-out syncing to CRM

2026 Midterm-Specific Considerations

Political Environment

• Prepare for high engagement

  • Midterms after presidential election = high energy
  • Expect higher response rates
  • Plan for increased volunteer interest

• Anticipate competitive landscape

  • More campaigns texting = need to stand out
  • Personalization even more critical
  • Clear differentiation in messaging

Timing Considerations

• Account for 2026 calendar

  • Primary elections: Spring/Summer 2026
  • General election: November 4, 2026
  • Key fundraising deadlines
  • Early voting windows by state

• Plan long-term engagement

  • Start building lists now (Q4 2025)
  • Sustained engagement through 2026
  • Multiple campaign phases (primary + general)

Quick Reference: Key Benchmarks

Performance Benchmarks

ROI Benchmarks

Timing Benchmarks

The Bottom Line

Running a successful P2P texting program for the 2026 elections requires:

• ✅ Early planning: Platform selection, 10DLC registration, list building (6+ months out)
• ✅ Quality data: Clean lists, proper segmentation, CRM integration
• ✅ Strong messaging: Personalized, tested, segment-specific templates
• ✅ Well-trained volunteers: Comprehensive training, quality control, performance monitoring
• ✅ Disciplined execution: Optimal timing, real-time monitoring, rapid problem-solving
• ✅ Strict compliance: Automatic opt-outs, proper consent, record-keeping
• ✅ Continuous optimization: A/B testing, data analysis, iterative improvement

Use this checklist to ensure your campaign follows best practices and avoids common pitfalls.

Key success factors:

• Start early (especially 10DLC registration)
• Invest in volunteer training
• Personalize everything
• Monitor and optimize continuously
• Maintain strict compliance

Over 2,000 campaigns trust Political Comms to execute best-in-class P2P texting programs with all the features, tools, and support needed to win in 2026.

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