Someone texting you first means you can reply, not that you can enroll them in everything. An inbound message is an invitation to that conversation. Turning it into standing consent for your GOTV blasts takes one more step: a clear opt-in confirmation with disclosures, captured on the record, same as any other subscriber.
What inbound does and doesn't give you
It gives you a reply, you can answer their question, help them, continue that thread. It doesn't automatically give you consent to add them to recurring broadcasts. Treating one 'where do I vote?' as permission for months of fundraising texts is the overreach that generates complaints.
How to convert it cleanly
If the conversation suggests they'd welcome ongoing messages, confirm it: 'Want election updates from us? Reply YES. Msg/data rates may apply, reply STOP anytime.' Their YES, logged, is real consent. Now they're a documented subscriber, not a stretched inference from one inbound text.
Frequently asked questions
If someone texts my campaign, can I text them back?
Yes, you can reply to that conversation. But a single inbound message isn't consent to add them to your broadcast list, confirm an opt-in with disclosures and log it before sending ongoing campaign texts.
Does an inbound text count as opt-in?
It opens a conversation you can answer, but not blanket consent for recurring broadcasts. Convert it with a clear opt-in confirmation (reply YES, with disclosures) that you record.
Informational, not legal advice.
Keep reading: What counts as consent to receive political texts and Can voters reply to campaign texts.