Political Texting

Sarah from the Conservative party, and Pam or Sue may be some of the senders popping up on your phone. With the federal election a little more than a month away parties are continuing to send out text messages to voters to see how they are going to vote. A year after the text messages from party’s started to cause a stir amongst voters they continue to use texting as a way to reach voters in New Brunswick. Some people still feel like this violates their rights.

     Carly Mason a third year student in New Brunswick is one of the many that believes the texts are intrusive. “I don’t appreciate when I get a text from a politician that says ‘Hey vote for us’ mainly because I think it’s kind of a breach of privacy” because “It’s like people who come to your door [for] information, it’s not fun”.

Some of the known parties to send out text messages so far in New Brunswick are Conservatives and Liberals. The Peoples Party, NDP, and Green party have not sent text messages. David Coon, the Green party leader, when asked if his party would send out text messages, said “Not as long as I’m leader”.

Coon believes “[campaigning] is fundamentally door to door”, as well that the text message space on our phones is personal and shouldn’t be bombarded by messages from these groups. The “old fashion” way of campaigning is how Coon plans on getting his and his parties messages out to the public.

Text messages are still pouring out from the parties asking about votes and different campaign issues. Some even asking voters to take part in campaigning for their party. This is leaving a sour taste is some voters mouths, some even suggesting certain parties will lose their votes because of these messages.