This will be a relatively brief diary, with observations that apply to some, but not all, jurisdictions.
Have you ever seen those guys and gals that collect signatures for state and local initiatives? Generally their operation and activity is governed by a hodge podge of local, state, or national laws that regulate proper behavior for collecting signatures.
Below, I'll offer some of the common actions that may be understood to consitute fraud (and which may ultimately be the difference between a initiative/ ballot measure making the cut for November, or being dropped like an oven baked bowling ball under a hail of controversy and bad press)...
Common characteristics of petition collecting activity that may jeopardize the legitimacy of collected signatures:
- Collecting of signatures by persons who are not registered voters in the state or locality which the initiative\ballot measure pertains to.
- Failure of collector (hence forth petitioner) to witness each and every signature, printing of name, and printing of address... down to the last crossed t or dotted i.
- 'Abandonment' of petition, normally corresponding to #2, although not necessarily. In such a case, the petitioner leaves the collected signatures unattended, whether that be to allow people to sign while he/she chases down other potential signers, or whether that be leaving his or her clipboard unattended while going to the bathroom, etc.
- 'Passing' of petitions, where the principal petitioner (this referring to the person being paid to collect signatures, in the IRS sense) farms out collection duties to one or more people. This sometimes corresponds with #1, where a principal petitioner may sub-contract the collection of signatures to an out of state person, or someone otherwise ineligible to circulate said petition.
- Look out for petition packets that appear 'separated' or 'loose'. Although unlikely to apply everywhere, there may be a requirement that all signatures collected remain connected to certain identifying information, which may include a principal petitioner's name, the number of the issued petition itself, or an affidavit to be signed by the principal petitioner once it is submitted to the Secretary of State.
- One of the most important things to be aware of (and this applies nearly everywhere), is whether the petitioner is confirming verbally that each and every signer is a registered voter in the state or locality the initiative/ballot measure pertains to.
There are others that I'm missing, obviously, but the point is understanding where some of the lines are drawn. Caveats aside, witnessing of improper petitioning does not guarantee that such objections are recognized, or acted upon. Indeed, the best way to make sure that petition fraud is dealt with before any misleading or odious initiative/ballot measure makes the cut, is to document (photo/ audio/ video/ affidavit) the witness of such shenanigans personally, and make an effort to get such evidence in the hands of local non-profits or other groups that deal directly with the issue. Preferably before the date set by the Secretary of State for turning in the signatures.
I would not mention this, but there are always any number of flawed and odious amendments to law being proposed at any given time. So, if you oppose those propositions, you can be vigilant, and help ensure any misleading or odious initiative has, at the very minimum, reached the ballot by the books.
Feel free to offer any other examples or experiences in the comments.