The ability to submit a signed petition to the state so that the voters can express their wishes at the polling place is available in 24 states. This is truly a method for the citizens to express their wishes directly with the government. That does not make it an easy process. To have an item of interest placed on the ballot requires a number of people to sign a petition. The number of voters who must sign the petition is usually high so that only items that are of interest to a large number of people will be placed on the ballot. In addition, once the item is placed on the ballot, the ballot must be approved by a majority of the voters and in the instance of an amendment to the state constitution, even a greater percent of the people may be required to vote on the issue. Proper procedures can make the petition process more successful with a greater chance of passing.
In other states, procedures may vary, so bear with me as I use the state of MO as an example. The basic principles will apply in all states.
Although it may seem simple, two factors need to be noted about the petition itself. The first of these is that the petition needs to meet the state requirements and approval to be valid. In MO, the state will approve the form and make it available for you to print. Evidently, there has been a case where this form was not correct. A simple method to validate the form is to take a printed copy directly to the Secretary of State in person and have him approve the form in your presence. This one step could keep a lot of effort from being for naught.
The second factor that needs to be addressed is the instructions for filling out the form. The completed form will be gone over with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that every signature is valid and has been placed on the form exactly as required. I have heard that as many as 1/3 of the signatures have been thrown out and many times only because they were not entered correctly or the solicitor incorrectly made their entries. If possible, each solicitor should have individual instruction even if in a group setting. Because of the scope of statewide solicitation, easy to read instructions should be readily available. Usually, there are only a few things to be filled out, but getting just one wrong can mean the entire form will be thrown out with all the signatures.
Once the petition is ready to be signed, the process of having solicitors to garner signatories starts in earnest. In MO, each solicitor needs to file a form for the state. You should provide this form and ask them to fill it out and give to you as you will file with the state for them. When you receive the form, you can then start compiling a list of those working for you. With this list, you can make mailings or calls to encourage them in their efforts. Many times, a little push can go a long way.
Next, you will have them return signed petitions to you on a regular basis. Only in this way will you know where you stand in your efforts and in what areas you may need to intensify your efforts. These petitions will contain the information you will need to remind the signers to vote for the measure when it is on the ballot. Many times it is easy to get someone to sign a petition, but then they may not vote on a regular basis. With these petitions, you will build a voter database.
As you and your crew campaign to collect signatories, you will contact many who are not registered to vote and hence, not qualified to sign your petition. If you have (in MO) a voter registration application, you can have them fill it out on the spot. Then you offer to mail it in for them. You will start a database of these new voters. In a couple of weeks, you will contact them to make sure they received their voter registration card. This is just a courtesy follow up call, but maintains a contact with them. When it comes time for the election, you can now call them again and ask them to vote for your petition. Since you have already had two contacts with this person, your voice will mean much more than someone who they do not know calling out of the blue.
These are all things that can be done to ensure success with your petition. Still, for all this to happen, you need people to go out and gather signatories as it is too much for just a few people to cover an entire state.
How you phrased your petition can make a difference. For instance, if you want to raise the gas tax for more money for road construction, don't start off asking for money. You might begin by saying,”to repair our roads and create jobs in MO, we need to raise our gas tax. The put some conditions on the petition such as using MO workers or MO construction material, etc. Maybe there will be areas that the monies will target. Only at the last will you mention that the tax will be added to the price of your gas.
This sets you up for your efforts to get solicitors to gather signatories. You can contact construction unions, trade associations, and construction companies to encourage them to contribute toward the effort. They will be a beneficiary of the petition. In addition, you can contact colleges. Most state universities have students who will be going home for the summer to all areas of the state. Make contacts with political science majors, engineering students and student journalists who you can encourage to write articles for their hometown papers. These are all who would benefit in the future and could be encouraged to participate in their first voting experience.
In addition, if you give someone a platform, an issue to run on, then they have a reason to run for office even in a Republican district.
Hopefully, there will be some hints that you may utilize and maybe even generate some new ideas.