CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A text message being sent to North Carolina voters has some concerned and others confused about whether their votes are being counted.
The text comes from a Texas area code and says, "Someone at your address may not have voted." The message then directs users to a link that takes them to the North Carolina State Board of Elections website where they can check their voter registration.
However, some people say they're getting the texts even after they've voted. One woman told WRAL-TV in Raleigh that she tried calling the number and the phone line was busy.
"The state, we couldn't get through. You couldn't even leave a message," Linda Conklin said. "We are aware of it, but we can't do anything about it."
State officials say messages like these aren't uncommon and are likely to continue through Election Day on Nov. 5.
“While we know these communications may be annoying or confusing, the purpose of most of them is to encourage voters to exercise their right to vote,” said Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the State Board of Elections. “Elections officials share that goal and encourage voters to seek out trusted sources, including the State Board and county boards of elections, for direct, accurate information about voting.”
While they may be annoying, most are just reminding people to get out and vote. Anyone who gets an election-related text, email or other messaging they believe may be fraudulent, a scam or inaccurate is asked to send a screenshot to elections.sboe@ncsbe.gov.