Reports Of False Text Messages Crop Up In Several States

***SEE UPDATE BELOW***

This could be a cheap (if elaborate) hoax, but bloggers in multiple states are posting cell phone photos of text messages urging Obama supporters to vote on Wednesday, November 5.

First reports of the false text message came from writers in Arizona and Texas. Meanwhile, the Huffington Post received another image from a source who said he received a similar text message in Illinois. [UPDATE: Another reader in Georgia chimes in with an indentical claim.]

The new image, courtesy of St. Louis software engineer Matt Gatten, shows a phone featuring a message that reads: "Due to the long lines today, all Obama voters are asked to vote on Wednesday. Thank you! Please forward to everyone!"

Gatten said he was a "little bit mad" when he received the message. "I did a reverse look up on the number that sent it, and it came from San Antonio, Texas," Gatten told the Huffington Post. "It made me mad. They're stealing votes that way. It's like spam: if it didn't work, people wouldn't be doing it."

Of course, it's hard to believe that a large number of voters could be fooled by such a ruse. Sorting out voters by candidate would quite obviously destroy the notion of a secret ballot. But if the tactic is as widespread as it seems, it might suggest that operatives are using every last trick at their disposal -- with only a few hours left before this election is in the books for good.

UPDATE: A student at the University of Florida says the fraudulent text-message campaign has become so widespread that a campus-wide advisory has been emailed out:

Dear Students,

A number of University of Florida students have reported receiving a text
message today claiming that voting has been extended until Wednesday. This
message is NOT legitimate and it should be ignored. Voting concludes today
-- Tuesday, Nov. 4 -- and polls close at 7 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call the Alachua County Supervisor of
Elections office at 352-374-[redacted].

Patricia Telles-Irvin
Vice President for Student Affairs

Comments

[BassMent]

But seriously. HOW STUPID WOULD YOU HAVE TO BE to fall for this?

This would be like if someone stopped you outside your polling place and said, "The ballot got printed backwards. If you support Obama, be sure to mark your ballot for McCain, because then your vote will really go to Obama."

"Oh really?!? Wow, that's good to know! Thanks, friend! I'll go vote for Obama now by marking my ballot for McCain!!!"

[ShanniC]

These aholes will do anything to stay in office! It disgusts me. I live in Georgia, and I am looking forward to Obama's win!

[ABCD]

A lot of New Yorkers moved to GA. Well ATL....Hop­efully they will turn that red state Blue.

[Sintari]

I'm a native Georgian, and we appreciate the help.

[obamasOHangel]

Anyone who actually receives text messages probably wouldn't be naive enough to fall for this one. McCain would though.

[Fabienne]

Exactly. This is how stupid they are. They think cellphone users savvy about text-messaging don't have access to the true information. Just another sign of their incompetence.

[joshuahmcdonald]

Whoever is doing this needs to be caught and prosecuted. This is anti-democratic and should not be tolerated.

On that note, it is completely idiotic that the people who made those phony fliers were found and NOT charged. What the hell?! There should be consequences for actions such as these!

[AlexeiJ]

Power does not concede without a fight.

Here's some inspiring, feel-good Obama for everyone anxious about the tonight's outcome:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf19H_sHMro&fmt=6

[MargaretO]

Everybody needs to start texting everyone they know to tell them the truth, that today is the day to vote.
Have them pass it on, as well.

[Independent voter]

Is there anything that the republicans won't do?

[rinpochet]

No. Their motto is, "win -- by any means necessary". To h*ll with democracy!

[GregJL]

The end justifies the means to them.