The 8 Most Important Political Calls Rules to Follow

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What are political calls?

Political calls are phone calls or text messages made by political campaigns, parties, or advocacy groups. These calls are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry.

However, under TCPA rules:

Autodialed or prerecorded calls to cell phones require prior express consent.
Political texts also require consent.

Common uses include:

Voter outreach
Fundraising
Issue advocacy
Opinion polling

Political calls play a legitimate role in elections, but many people wonder why they keep getting them—and whether they’re even legal.

Knowing the rules helps campaigns stay compliant and helps voters understand their rights. In this guide, we’ll break down what political calls are, why you might receive them, and the TCPA and FCC regulations that apply.

What rules govern political calls?

While campaigns enjoy broad free speech protections under the First Amendment, they’re not free to call however and whenever they want. The TCPA and FCC regulations set boundaries to protect consumers from harassment, deception, or overwhelming spam. Here are the key rules:

1. Consent requirements

Landlines: You can send prerecorded or automated messages without prior consent to landlines
Cell phones: Autodialed calls or texts require prior express consent. Live agent calls are allowed without written consent.

Tip for campaign managers: Always verify your list—automated dialing to mobile numbers without consent can trigger penalties.

2. Identification in political robocalls

All robocalls must clearly state:

The campaign and candidate name
A callback number

Implementation: Include this info at the start and end of every message. Train volunteers to identify themselves consistently.

3. Calling hours

Do not call before 8 a.m. or after 9 p.m. local time.
Respect time zones when scheduling large-scale campaigns.

On CallHub, you can

Switch on the timezone calling feature (in the “schedule” section).
Pick the timezone you are calling in.
Schedule operational hours and days.

The algorithm will pause the campaign when the operational hour in the set timezone ends. This feature helps you stay compliant with the TCPA and state-regulated calling timings and is best used for out-of-state campaigns.

4. Caller ID transparency

Display accurate caller ID information
Avoid misleading numbers or fake names

Tip: Use dedicated campaign lines or VoIP numbers registered under the campaign. Misrepresentation can result in FCC penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.

CallHub provides Dynamic Caller ID, which automatically displays a local number to the voter you’re calling.

For example, if your campaign is based in Washington D.C. but you’re calling voters in Texas, the system will show a Texas-based number.

This boosts answer rates because voters are far more likely to pick up a call from a familiar local area code while still keeping your campaign compliant.

5. National Do Not Call Registry exemption

Political calls are exempt from the Do Not Call Registry. Campaigns may legally contact registered voters even if they’ve opted out of commercial calls. However, campaigns must honor specific opt-out requests for further calls.

6. Autodialing mobile phones

Under TCPA, using an automatic telephone dialing system (ATDS) to call a cell phone without consent is prohibited. Campaigns must ensure they are not dialing cell phone numbers with automated systems unless they have explicit voter permission.

Tip: Segment your lists to separate landlines from mobile numbers and apply relevant dialing rules.

7. AI-generated or automated voices

As of February 2024, the FCC has ruled that AI-generated voices in robocalls are illegal under TCPA. Campaigns cannot use synthetic or cloned voices that could mislead voters into thinking the call is from a real person. Violations can trigger FCC fines and State Attorney General enforcement. But if you’re using it, then make sure to include certain identification information like:

Clearly state the name of the individual or entity at the start of the prerecorded message.
If calling as an organization, use the official business name.

Provide a valid callback number during or after the message.

8. Opt-out options

Campaigns must provide a clear and easy way for voters to opt out of future political calls

Voters should be able to press a key (e.g., “Press 2 to be removed from future campaign calls”) or verbally request removal during a live call.
Every opt-out request must be logged and honored immediately to remain compliant.
This not only benefits the voter but also increases the campaign’s credibility and helps you avoid fines or campaign suspension.

FAQs on political calls: We answer your biggest questions

1. Why am I getting political phone calls?

You’re receiving them because political calls are exempt from the Do Not Call Registry, and campaigns often use voter registration records or phone lists to reach voters. These calls are intended to influence elections, raise funds, or gather opinions.

2. How to stop political calls?

You can’t block them through the Do Not Call Registry, but you can:

During the call, reply with “STOP” or press the keypad option mentioned to opt out.
Use third-party call-blocking apps that filter political robocalls.

3. How to sign up for political calls?

For supporters who want updates from a party/candidate: provide your number via campaign websites, event sign-ups, or volunteer/donation forms.

To volunteer to make political calls, contact the campaign managers of specific candidates to get started. You’ll stay in the loop with campaign updates and outreach efforts.

4. How to stop political calls on iPhone and Android?

iPhones: Enable “Silence Unknown Callers” in Settings to block calls from numbers not in your contacts.
Android phones: Use “Call Screen” or the “Phone by Google” app for call screening and blocking.

For volunteering jobs, do check out CallHub’s community for active opportunities.

What’s next with political calls?

Political calls are central to campaign outreach, but staying compliant is essential. As a campaign manager, you need to balance voter engagement with TCPA and FCC compliance. That means:

Identifying your campaign in every call
Respecting calling hours
Honoring opt-out requests
Avoiding misleading caller IDs
Steering clear of unauthorized robocalls or AI voices

Compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about building trust with voters. When managed responsibly, political calls remain one of the most effective tools for mobilizing supporters and driving turnout.If you’re running campaigns outside the U.S.—for example, in Europe or Canada—regulations may differ. In that case, we recommend checking out our phone banking compliance guide for the US, EU, and CA to understand global calling regulations and best practices.

Divyashree BR

A marketer passionate about sharing insights on nonprofits, politics, and advocacies, with a keen focus on how these domains can be effectively digitalized and communicated to reach broader audiences.