Thousands of college-aged people in Wisconsin have likely received text messages this month misinforming them about participating in this year’s elections, threatening them with steep fines and prison time if they vote in an incorrect manner.

The texts have prompted multiple voting rights groups to call for both state- and federal-level investigations into who is sending them. Organizations are also scrambling to correct the misinformation with only a couple of weeks remaining in the election season.

“WARNING: Violating WI Statutes 12.13 & 6.18 may result in fines up to $10,000 or 3.5 years in prison. Don’t vote in a state where you’re not eligible,” the text messages warn.

The voter intimidation messages appear to be targeting people between the ages of 18-25. According to the Wisconsin Elections Commission website, those voters “have the right to vote in Wisconsin if they have resided in a ward for at least 28 days, are U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old on or before Election Day, and are not otherwise disqualified.”

Student leaders have condemned the texts for essentially telling college-age voters that they could be severely punished if they vote incorrectly.

“It was basically a warning to students to not go out and register. … We cannot have this during election year,” said Matthew Lehner, the chair for Wisconsin College Democrats.

Indeed, even out-of-state students have the right to vote in Wisconsin,........

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