Fearing residents will be duped into signing candidate petitions, city officials are making sure residents know their rights when it comes to signing on the dotted line.
During election years, both sides of controversial ballot initiatives complain that petitioners use deceptive tactics to get support on their measures. As a result, average citizens sign petitions without really knowing what they are supporting.
The city of Santa Monica enacted a law last August that requires petitioners to hand out sheets detailing residents’ rights when it comes to misleading tactics. It requires people trying to gather enough signatures to place initiatives, referendums and recalls on a ballot to give residents a sheet about the petition, what its effects would be and how they can remove their name after signing.
But the current law doesn’t apply to city council candidates seeking a ballot spot, who must solicit at least 100 signatures.
“and the information sheet will help voters understand how important their signatures really are in our local elections.” — McKeown doesn’t think the new petition ordinance would cause him any troubles in his re-election bid. he said
“I'll be out there seeking signatures for my own re-election this year,”
The Santa Monica City Council may extend the current law to require all candidates seeking election to follow the same rules. The proposed ordinance will be voted on at the council’s Tuesday meeting.
“There had been some questionable practices in the circulation of initiative petitions and the like, and to be consistent we added an info sheet for candidates also,” said Mayor Pro Tem Kevin McKeown, who’s term will end this year.
Before each signature, petition seekers would have to disclose what office they are seeking, what the requirements are for the position, which political group they represent and how residents can remove their signatures at a later date.
“It’s not going to hurt a candidate running an honest campaign,” said Santa Monica City Councilman Herb Katz. “All we’re trying to do is help residents know exactly what they are signing onto.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 11, 2002. Read the original PDF.