Automation has given us many wonderful advances. Political robocalls arenít among them.
Once again, N.C. legislators are debating whether to let constituents stop ó or at least greatly reduce ó the noisome recorded campaign calls that arrive in increasing numbers each election cycle. A proposal would add prerecorded political messages to the ědo not callî registry created in 2003.
Opponents of adding political robocalls to the registry often argue it would violate candidatesí freedom of speech. When did machines gain constitutional rights? The ban would apply only to recorded calls. Candidates who want to make random calls to voters would still be free to do so. Theyíd just have to use real callers.
With another presidential election cycle on the horizon, N.C. legislators should pull the plug and let constituents opt out of the robocall campaign blitz.