PHOENIX — Political flyers and television ads are nothing new when it comes to elections.
What makes the 2024 Presidential election different, and in many cases frustrating for voters, is just how many text messages they are getting from campaigns.
Many voters said they've received dozens of text messages every single day.
"It's wearing me out," said Sam Dierks.
Some said they have deleted them or reported the texts as spam but the messages keep coming.
The ones who spoke with 12News said they have already made up their minds on who they are going to vote for, so the texts aren't doing anything but creating serious frustration.
"I don't need any more advice or counseling or anything," said Maria Maytorena. "I made up my mind."
If the relentless texts seem a little too much, you're right. Phoenix-based political consultant Stan Barnes said this is the worst it's ever been when it comes to campaign text messages, phone calls and e-mails.
“This is the price we pay for being a swing state," Barnes said. "This didn't used to happen in Arizona.”
It's the same reason why both presidential candidates have visited Arizona multiple times on the campaign trail. Also, with a U.S. Senate race and several U.S. Congressional Districts at play, Barnes said no one really knows what's going to happen on election day — which is why candidates are doing all they can to get your vote.
"I think there's no one in Arizona that's a registered voter that is escaping it," Barnes said.
All the candidates have shelled out a lot of money Barnes said and text messages are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get people's attention.
The question is, with so many set on who they will vote for, is this really going to sway voters?
"I think the short answer is no, not as many as the advertisers and the consultants wish would happen," Barnes said. "But when every single vote counts, every single vote, then you've got to spend the money and you're going to move somebody, and that one last person might be the difference maker."
When asked when the flyers and texts will go away, Barnes predicts not until polls are closed on election day. However, there is another way to stop it and that's to vote early.
According to a spokesperson with Maricopa County state statute allows Republican and Democratic parties to have access to the voter registration database where they can see who has voted and who hasn't. Barnes said once people turn in their mail-in ballot and the database gets updated, the parties may stop sending texts and flyers to them.
"The minute the consultants see that you voted and you're cooked and you cannot be persuaded, because you're done, that outreach will stop to your mailbox and it will likely stop to your cell phone as well," Barnes said.
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Decision 2024
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