Voters Report Flood of Election Mail and Texts
Some California voters say election mailers and texts have grown overwhelming, while others went to county offices after not receiving their ballots.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do election mailers and texts from campaigns feel like too much to you?
Many voters report feeling inundated by election mail and texts ahead of the Midterms. Some Santa Barbara County voters went to the county election office on Election Day eve to obtain ballots after not receiving election mail.
Why it matters
Election mail and text volume can affect voters' ability to tell legitimate ballot information from noise, and missing ballots can disrupt participation. Californians in the state's close races may see more of this outreach as the election approaches.
The USPS handled 3.3 billion pieces of election mail during the 2024 Presidential Election. Goleta voter Mark Sherman reports still receiving two or three election texts despite unsubscribing for at least six weeks.
The players
Mark Sherman
A Goleta voter who has unsubscribed from election texts for at least six weeks yet still receives them.
Avery Blum
A voter who reports receiving election texts from people he does not know asking for money or votes.
The details
Voters receive flyers and mailers, and multiple voters at one address can increase the volume of mail they see. Some report receiving texts from people they do not know asking for money or votes, and one voter said he replied stop but kept getting messages.
Timeline
2024: USPS handled 3.3 billion pieces of election mail during the Presidential Election.
Six weeks before the interview: Mark Sherman began unsubscribing from election texts.
Eve of Election Day: Voters visited the county election office to get ballots, and a full drop box was emptied.
Political Context
The USPS handled 3.3 billion pieces of election mail during the 2024 Presidential Election, setting a high baseline for voter outreach. With close races expected nationwide in the Midterms, volume could rise above that benchmark.
Voters who receive frequent mailers and texts may need to verify ballot information through official county election offices rather than campaign messages. If your ballot has not arrived, contacting your county election office directly is the step the source describes some voters taking before Election Day.
The takeaway
Verify election information with your county election office rather than relying on unsolicited texts or mailers. Unsubscribe options may not stop all messages, so keep official election contacts handy.
Further reading
For more on how campaigns reach voters, see Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NewsChannel 3-12.
Live Poll
Do election mailers and texts from campaigns feel like too much to you?
