Voting rights advocates have called on both state and federal justice departments to look into anonymous text messages that seem to target young voters in Wisconsin, cautioning them against voting in a state where they may not be eligible.

Free Speech for People, representing the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, made this appeal recently. Their letter indicated that “thousands of young voters across Wisconsin” received these messages last week, which notably included staff at the League and students enrolled at the University of Wisconsin.

The troubling text references Wisconsin law that bans individuals from voting in more than one location and warns that those who break this law could face fines up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of 3.5 years. One of the direct lines from the message advises, “Don’t vote in a state where you’re not eligible.”

Wisconsin has a history of close presidential elections, with four out of the last six being determined by margins of less than one percentage point. In 2020, President Joe Biden secured victory with a margin of fewer than 21,000 votes.

At least one recipient of the dubious text took to social media to share its contents. In their request for an investigation, the League of Women Voters emphasized that if swift action is not taken, “the sender may continue its efforts to frighten eligible young voters into not voting.”

Young individuals attending college in Wisconsin have the opportunity to register to vote using either their home address or their school address. However, concerns have arisen that many students and young voters feel anxious about potential criminal charges against them should they choose to register and vote, largely due to false and malicious information contained in the text messages from an anonymous source.

There has been no immediate response from officials at the state or federal justice departments regarding inquiries sent via email.

The text messages coincided with a period when numerous voters in Wisconsin are submitting absentee ballots. As of Monday, nearly 240,000 absentee ballots had already been returned throughout the state.

Starting October 22, voters will also have the chance to cast absentee ballots in person. On that same day, former President Barack Obama is expected to appear in Madison alongside current vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz for a rally aimed at promoting early voting.

Wisconsin, alongside Michigan and Pennsylvania, is significant in the political landscape, as these “blue wall” states play a crucial role in Vice President Kamala Harris’ strategy to counter Republican Donald Trump.