In brief
The California Secretary of State's office is probing claims that signature collectors in San Francisco improperly offered money for signatures on ballot measures, including a tech-related tax proposal. Video evidence shows alleged ballot collectors instructing individuals to provide false identities. Campaign representatives stated they are cooperating with the investigation and do not condone any fraudulent activities.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California election officials announced on Friday that they are investigating allegations of signature collectors in San Francisco illegally offering to pay individuals to sign ballot petitions using false names.
A startling video surfaced showing a sign stating “Sign petition for $5” with a line of individuals waiting on the sidewalk. A woman at a folding table can be seen directing people on how to fill out the petitions, telling them to provide specific names and addresses. When questioned about the nature of the petitions, she instructed individuals, Just sign it.
The California Secretary of State’s office has confirmed that they are aware of the situation and are actively investigating the matter.
In California, various measures can be placed on the ballot through signature gathering, which requires hundreds of thousands of names. Campaigns can incentivize workers by paying them per signature, often resulting in intense competition.
Notably, one of the petitions featured in the video seeks to oppose a proposed tax on billionaires, backed by tech moguls including Google co-founder Sergey Brin. This initiative is part of a broader campaign called Building a Better California, which has seen substantial funding.
Molly Weedn, a spokesperson for the campaign, clarified that the signature collectors involved did not work directly for their initiative. They are cooperating with authorities to reject any submissions collected under fraudulent means.
“Under no circumstances do we tolerate this type of activity,” Weedn stated, adding that campaign attorneys have reported the issue to authorities.
Another petition visible in the video aims to block a tax on retirement savings. Campaign spokesperson Nathan Click stressed that they will not accept fraudulent activities and took immediate action to dismiss any petitions gathered by the identified circulator.
According to California’s election laws, offering payments or gifts for ballot measure signatures is illegal. The Secretary of State's office has noted that signatures are meticulously reviewed against voter registration records, and mismatches will ultimately lead to discarded signatures.
“It is also a crime to circulate, sign, or file any initiative petition that is known to include forged names,” the office remarked.
Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the incident and any potential violations of election law surrounding the petition gathering efforts.
