Washington – FEC: Campaigns Can Raise Money Via Text Message

Washington – Americans can now use their cell phones – including those with the much-parodied iPhone voice-activated system – to make political donations.

In a ruling meant to widen the pool of people who can donate to campaigns, the Federal Election Commission ruled that voters can now make contributions via text message.

The decision will go into effect immediately but the Romney and President Obama campaigns will likely need a few days — or weeks — to set up the infrastructure to make the donations possible.

Both sides are eager to use the new fundraising tool, and experts say the campaigns will likely set a fixed amount of money – say, $10 – that will be automatically donated once a user sends a text to a five-digit number.