Political SMS Messaging (10DLC) – TSG

This guide explains the Political SMS use case as defined by The Campaign Registry (TCR). It is written for a mixed audience, including political organizations, non-profits, messaging customers, and technical partners who need an accurate understanding of eligibility requirements, vetting, and ongoing compliance obligations for political messaging.

1. What Is the Political Use Case?

The Political use case is a special campaign classification for 10DLC SMS messages that contain political content. This includes information about political candidates, campaigns, ballot initiatives, polling locations, and other election-related topics. Political messaging is regulated more strictly than standard business messaging and is therefore subject to additional verification and monitoring requirements.

2. Why Political Messaging Is Treated Differently

Mobile network operators apply heightened scrutiny to political messaging to protect consumers and the integrity of the electoral process. Because political messages can influence public opinion or civic participation, carriers require stronger proof of sender legitimacy and enforce stricter controls on access to this use case.

3. Eligibility Requirements

To access the Political use case, a brand must meet specific eligibility criteria at the brand-registration level.

The brand must be registered as a non-profit organization.
The brand must either have a verified tax-exempt status (501(c)(3), (4), (5), or (6)) or complete a Political vet.

4. How Eligibility Is Verified

Eligibility for political messaging is verified through tax-exempt status confirmation or through Political vetting. If tax-exempt status is confirmed during brand registration or standard vetting, access to the Political use case is granted automatically.

Brands without confirmed tax-exempt status must request a Political vet.
Political vets can be requested through TCR or imported from approved vetting partners.
Aegis Mobile and Campaign Verify are the only supported political vetting partners.

5. Political Vetting and Tokens

Political vetting is separate from Standard and Enhanced vetting. Its sole purpose is to confirm a brand’s eligibility to send political messages.
- Aegis-issued Political vet tokens are single use and CSP-specific.
- Campaign Verify tokens are also single use but may be issued in multiples.
- Political vetting does not grant access to non-political messaging use cases.

6. Campaign Registration and Messaging Terms

Once a brand is eligible, campaigns may be registered using the Political use case. Some carriers offer predefined messaging terms for political campaigns.

Carrier	Terms
AT&T	The campaign is automatically granted message Class K with 4,500 SMS TPM and 2,400 MMS TPM. The terms cannot be improved by a standard or enhanced vet.
T-Mobile	The brand is initially granted a LOW brand tier with a 2,000 Daily Cap for entities with a tax exempt status of 501(c)(3), (4), (5), or (6). The terms can be improved by a standard or enhanced vet. For brands with an N/A tax exempt status, an unlimited Daily Cap is available if they complete a political vet or import a token from a vetting partner.

7. Political Vet Expiration and Ongoing Compliance

Political vets have expiration dates that vary based on the type of election involved. If a Political vet expires, all associated Political campaigns will be deactivated within 24 to 48 hours unless a new vet is completed or a new token is imported in advance.

Expired Political vets can cause a brand’s identity status to change to UNVERIFIED.
An UNVERIFIED status prevents new campaign registrations.
Brands relying on Political vets must monitor expiration dates closely.

8. Common Misunderstandings

Selecting 'Political' as a brand vertical does not grant Political use case access.
Political vetting does not replace Standard or Enhanced vetting.
Political campaigns are subject to ongoing monitoring and enforcement.

9. Key Takeaway

The Political use case is intentionally restricted and closely monitored. Organizations that qualify and follow the vetting and compliance requirements can use SMS effectively for political communication, but there are no shortcuts. Understanding and maintaining eligibility is essential for uninterrupted messaging.

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