By Elan Glasser Santa Monica
A solution to California’s insane proposition system: Ban paid signature gathering for statewide propositions.
At present, anyone with lots of money can pay to have whatever proposition they choose appear on the ballot, with the help of people paid to gather signatures.
This leads to overly-aggressive signature gathering, and gives those with large bankrolls an unfair advantage in our political system.
Banning paid signature gathering would have two effects: First, it would lessen the number of propositions that make it before the voters, a very good thing. As it stands, voters are inundated with many confusing propositions each election. Secondly, it would restrict propositions to those measures with true grass-roots support and enough volunteers to gather signatures.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 22, 2008. Read the original PDF.