Getting Set Up with Switchboard: Everything You Need to Launch Your Campaign

Last updated: February 17, 2026

We know the early days of a campaign move fast—and we’re here to help you hit the ground running. If you want to start sending texts on Day 1, here’s how to make sure your campaign is set up for success.

How long does it take to get approved to send texts?

Once you’ve submitted your Toll-Free and 10DLC request forms, approvals can take 3–5 business days. That’s the standard timeline—and what we recommend planning around. That said, we do frequently see numbers come back even faster, sometimes in as little as one business day for Toll-Free.

To ensure you’re ready to launch right on schedule, we recommend submitting your request forms at least 5 business days in advance of your planned start date. That gives us a buffer in case of delays and sets you up to start texting without missing a beat.

What if my campaign website isn’t live yet?

To get toll-free registered, an online presence is required by third-party aggregators to prove you are who you say you are. But we get it—many campaigns wait to go live with their website until the official launch day. While a published website is the most straightforward way to get a Toll-Free number approved, it’s not the only path.

If your website isn’t live yet, you can still get approved by showing an online presence through:

  • An unlisted or pre-launch website

  • An ActBlue page with campaign branding

  • A LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram page

To improve your chances of quick approval, make sure your social media pages look like they belong to a real campaign. That means:

  • Posts or updates showing activity

  • A profile photo

  • Clear indicators that this is a real candidate—not a placeholder or bot

The more credible your online presence, the more likely your request will sail through.

Can I use my current Switchboard number if I’m running for a new office?

Yes—and here’s how it works:

  • Toll-Free: Already have a Toll-Free number from a previous campaign? You can keep using it—even if the candidate is now running for a different office. Just let us know, and we can update your account name to reflect the new race.

    • Starting February 17, 2026, all Toll-Free submissions require an EIN and, for 527 organizations only, a Toll-Free Campaign Verify token.

      If you haven’t already, please fill out this Toll Free Collection Form with your organization’s EIN and Toll-Free Campaign Verify token to ensure continued compliance and avoid any interruption in service.

  • 10DLC: If your EIN (Employer Identification Number) hasn’t changed, you can continue using your existing 10DLC number.
    Once you have a new EIN, you will need to request a new CV token and get registered under your new name. You can register for a new 10DLC number by giving us the necessary info here and continue sending on your current number while that's getting registered.

No new Switchboard account is needed, you can use the existing one to preserve access to your data! You can update your Switchboard Organization name here (this will change the name that shows up on invoices too).

My Organization's IRS Classification is Changing

If your organization is becoming a 501c3/501c4 or anything other than a 527, you will need to ensure your EIN is updated and your 10DLC registration is resubmitted. You can give us all the info we need here. Again, no new Switchboard account is needed and you can keep sending until your new numbers are ready.

My Organization is Shutting Down Permanently

Email us at support@oneswitchboard.com to request account deactivation once your balance is paid in full. You can always request a new account in the future here or ask us to reopen your account at a later date.

Still have questions?

Our team is here to help. If you’re unsure what you need or how to get started, just reach out—we’ll guide you through it and make sure you’re ready to launch on time.