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9 Investigates: Are unsolicited absentee ballot text messages legitimate?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Many people are receiving texts about the election over the last three days.

The texter knows your address and wants you to request an absentee ballot.

The text says, “If you live at (address) … our records say that you may not have requested an absentee ballot yet. You can still vote in person if you change your mind, but keep your options open and request a ballot here …” and the text has a link.

The group behind the texts is Vote from Home 2020. It says so on the text.

Action 9′s Jason Stoogenke looked into the organization. It’s legitimate, one of many grassroots groups trying to make sure people vote, and it leans left.

The co-founder helped write a piece for The Hill which explains its mission.

She says, “Donald Trump is actively pressuring states to restrict voting opportunities. So, to counter his efforts, we started Vote from Home 2020 to … connect swing-state voters with vote-by-mail applications and ballots.”

She mentions North Carolina by name.

She says the group “will mail voters absentee ballot applications, instructions for filling them out, messaging on why voting by mail is safe and important, and pre-paid return postage for the application.”

Action 9 still wanted to talk to Vote from Home 2020 in person. We emailed its media contact and its general inbox but hadn’t heard back by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Of course, many disagree with the organization. They don’t think President Trump is trying to undermine the elections. So Action 9 emailed the NCGOP so it could weigh in on. We were waiting to hear back by 5 p.m. Wednesday as well.