Political campaigns are more reliant than ever on texting to reach voters quickly and directly. Texting cuts through the noise of traditional media, boosts turnout, and drives engagement—especially in the final stretch of an election. But with new industry rules, staying compliant with 10DLC registration is no longer optional—it’s essential.

Here’s what you need to know.

---

What Is 10DLC?

10DLC stands for “10-Digit Long Code,” the type of local phone number used to send high-volume, application-to-person (A2P) text messages. Unlike short codes, 10DLCs are cost-effective, easy to recognize, and ideal for localized outreach.

In 2021, mobile carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile rolled out new requirements to regulate 10DLC usage, mainly to:

• Reduce spam and abuse,
• Protect consumers, and
• Improve deliverability for legitimate messages (like yours).

---

Why 10DLC Compliance Matters for Political Campaigns

If your campaign sends texts to voters via a platform (like Buzz360), you're sending A2P messages. Without 10DLC registration, your messages:

• Will be blocked,
• May incur additional fees,
• Will damage your sender reputation.

Worse—non-compliance can get your number permanently suspended.

---

The Registration Process

To be 10DLC-compliant, campaigns must register with The Campaign Registry (TCR), the central hub set up by mobile carriers. Here’s how it works:

1. Register Your Organization

Submit your campaign or PAC’s legal entity name, EIN, and contact info. This verifies your legitimacy.

2. Create a Use Case

Declare how you'll be using texting (e.g., voter outreach, event reminders, fundraising). For political use cases, TCR will tag your campaign as such.

3. Get Vetting Approval

Political organizations must be verified through Campaign Verify, a third-party vetting service specifically for political entities. This step confirms you’re authorized to act on behalf of a campaign or committee.

Pro Tip: U.S. campaigns must have a FEC ID or state-level registration to do this step.

4. Register Phone Numbers

Once approved, you’ll link your texting numbers to your registered brand and use case.

---

Common Compliance Pitfalls

Avoid these common mistakes that can derail your texting program:

• Not registering with Campaign Verify if you’re a political entity.
• Using unregistered 10DLC numbers for broadcast texting.
• Sending peer-to-peer texts without the required disclosures (e.g., "Msg & data rates may apply").
• High opt-out rates due to vague or spammy messaging.

---

Best Practices for Political Texting

✅ Include clear opt-in language when collecting numbers.
✅ Identify your campaign in every message.
✅ Provide an easy opt-out (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”).
✅ Monitor response rates, opt-outs, and spam reports regularly.
✅ Use tools that enforce 10DLC best practices by default.

---

How Buzz360 Helps You Stay Compliant

Buzz360 and SwipeRed are fully equipped to manage the 10DLC process for you. We:

• Register your campaign with The Campaign Registry,
• Handle Campaign Verify approvals,
• Set up and manage your long codes,
• Monitor message deliverability and compliance,
• Ensure opt-out management is automatic and audit-friendly.

This allows your campaign team to focus on what matters—winning.

---

Final Thoughts

Political texting is one of the most powerful tools in your voter contact arsenal—but only if it’s done right. Register early, stay compliant, and partner with a platform that handles the complexity so you don’t have to.

Have questions or want help registering your campaign? Reach out to our team—we’ll walk you through it step-by-step.