Informed Electorate refers here to Americans for an Informed Electorate, the Utah political action committee associated with VoteTheWill.org. Deseret News identified that connection in June 2019. A donation request using this name deserves checks against the specific organization, payment recipient, and purpose described in the request before any money changes hands.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported on October 3, 2019, that Informed Electorate said it had ceased operations. That dated report matters when assessing a later solicitation. A familiar name alone should prompt independent checks of who placed a call, who controls a payment page, and whether a proposed contribution matches the recipient’s intentions.
Informed Electorate donations and documented scrutiny
Deseret News reported that Informed Electorate formed in February 2016 and collected almost $4.8 million in small contributions without supporting candidates or causes. Its account attributed those figures to filings with Utah’s lieutenant governor’s office. Those dated financial details describe the period covered by the newspaper, not a current fundraising balance.
AP reported in June 2019 that then Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox had requested a law enforcement investigation. The reporting described spending on nonscientific polls and employee salaries. An investigation is a reason to examine the underlying conduct carefully; it does not by itself establish a conviction or a judicial finding of fraud.
The Salt Lake Tribune’s June reporting described prerecorded scripts monitored by a live person and surveys that the organizers acknowledged were nonscientific. For a potential donor, a useful question is whether the requested payment funds polling, fundraising, candidate support, or another stated activity. Those purposes should be distinguished before agreeing to contribute.
| Dated record | Practical significance |
|---|---|
| February 2016 formation reported by Deseret News | Identifies the committee being discussed |
| June 2019 investigation reporting | Describes official scrutiny during that period |
| October 2019 closure reporting | Calls for independent checks of later solicitations |
Informed Electorate political calls and caller identity
The FTC explains that its Do Not Call rules allow political calls and surveys, as long as they do not also contain a sales pitch. Therefore, receiving a political call after registering a number is not enough to establish a violation. The content and circumstances of the actual call matter when choosing a reporting route.
Caller ID should not settle the identity question. The FTC warns that scammers can falsify the displayed name and telephone number. A recipient can let an unexpected call end, retain its details, and check the claimed organization separately. The phone number checking guide explains why a displayed number needs additional context.
The FTC recommends checking the call blocking and labeling services available through a telephone carrier. Options differ for mobile phones, traditional landlines, and internet based home phones. Blocking can reduce interruptions while a recipient considers a request. It should accompany independent identity checks because a familiar display still does not authenticate a caller.
What to do about an unexpected donation request
Before paying, compare the spoken request with any written explanation of the donation’s purpose. Keep the exact organization name, payment destination, amount, and terms together. This is a practical way to evaluate the distinctions highlighted in the newspaper reporting. A person who feels pressured can end the conversation and consider those details afterward.
If a caller demands gift cards, cryptocurrency, or an immediate transfer of money, the FTC’s robocall guidance identifies those demands as scam warning signs. That general warning applies to the payment request itself. It should not be used to assume that every caller mentioning this committee is connected to its documented organizers.
Where to report and request a payment review
For a payment obtained through deception, the FTC advises contacting the company used to send the money immediately and asking for a reversal or refund. A cardholder should use the issuer’s official app, account access, or the number printed on the card. The reporting steps help organize the information needed for that conversation.
Suspected deception can be reported at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include what the caller promised and how payment was requested. Preserve receipts and messages so the payment provider can assess the dispute. Reporting and requesting a refund are separate actions; completing a report does not replace contacting the bank or issuer about the transaction.
The FTC also advises changing exposed account passwords and enabling two-factor authentication. If a suspicious caller obtained credentials, change reused passwords on other accounts too. Follow-up demands for payment to retrieve lost money deserve separate scrutiny. The recovery scam guidance explains how another payment request can add to an existing loss.
Questions and answers
What organization used VoteTheWill.org?
Deseret News identified VoteTheWill.org as the website of Americans for an Informed Electorate, a Utah political action committee. Its June 2019 reporting described a fundraising operation that gathered opinions and solicited contributions, rather than a government election office.
When was the committee formed?
Deseret News reported that Informed Electorate formed in February 2016. That date describes the organization covered in the newspaper’s reporting. A present-day caller still needs separate verification before receiving a contribution or any payment information from a recipient.
Did officials investigate the committee?
In June 2019, then Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox told Deseret News he had referred concerns to law enforcement. Reporting about an investigation should be read as reporting about scrutiny, without treating it as a criminal conviction or court finding.
Did the committee close?
The Salt Lake Tribune reported on October 3, 2019, that Americans for an Informed Electorate said it had ceased operations. A later message using the same name should be checked independently before a recipient follows payment instructions or shares information.
Does Do Not Call registration block political surveys?
The FTC says its Do Not Call rules allow political calls and surveys, provided they do not also include a sales pitch. Registration does not block incoming calls. Carrier blocking tools can help recipients reduce the unwanted calls they receive.
What should a donor do about a suspicious card payment?
The FTC advises contacting the card issuer immediately when a scammer tricks someone into paying or uses a card without authorization. The donor should explain what happened and request a refund, using the issuer’s official account access or card number.
Sources
- State officials describe PAC investigation · Deseret News
- PAC fundraising and polling practices · The Salt Lake Tribune
- Americans for an Informed Electorate closes · The Salt Lake Tribune
- PAC under investigation · Associated Press via KSL
- National Do Not Call Registry FAQs · Federal Trade Commission
- Robocalls · Federal Trade Commission
- What To Do if You Were Scammed · Federal Trade Commission