Petitioners prompt DA warning
O.C. District Attorney urges citizens to study issues before agreeing to sign any petition
The Orange County District Attorneys Office has warned Irvine residents about signature gathers, some paid as much as $11 for each signature they obtain. They are out in force in Irvine as they work to get their initiatives to qualify for the November ballot.
Irvine City News staff
Irvine residents are being warned, along with all Orange County citizens, to beware of signature gathers during this election year. O.C. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has issued a statement advising voters to be wary of both volunteer and paid petitioners who are out in force attempting to gather enough signatures to qualify initiatives for the November ballot.
One such petition drive is underway in Irvine where signature gatherers are trying to qualify a measure that would essentially halt all commercial and residential growth. If successful, this measure would require costly voter approval of almost any development in the city. A large coalition of Irvine stakeholders, business owners and executives and officials warn the measure could seriously disrupt the area’s economy.
According to the DA's office, signature gatherers are setting up tables at shopping centers, outside coffee shops and anywhere pedestrian traffic is heavy. Some earn as much as $11 for each signature they secure.
Rackauckas urged residents to make sure they understand what they are signing before agreeing to add their name to the petition, saying, “Petitions often mislead the public and hide important details in the fine print that signature gathers often don’t share with signers.”
The DA's tips for residents on signature gathers:
Read the Statement from the Orange County District Attorney Office.
One such petition drive is underway in Irvine where signature gatherers are trying to qualify a measure that would essentially halt all commercial and residential growth. If successful, this measure would require costly voter approval of almost any development in the city. A large coalition of Irvine stakeholders, business owners and executives and officials warn the measure could seriously disrupt the area’s economy.
According to the DA's office, signature gatherers are setting up tables at shopping centers, outside coffee shops and anywhere pedestrian traffic is heavy. Some earn as much as $11 for each signature they secure.
Rackauckas urged residents to make sure they understand what they are signing before agreeing to add their name to the petition, saying, “Petitions often mislead the public and hide important details in the fine print that signature gathers often don’t share with signers.”
The DA's tips for residents on signature gathers:
- Avoid being manipulated or bullied by petition gatherers by declining to sign any petitions until you have had a chance to fully read the fine print.
- Review a copy of any initiative on your own time, and then decide for yourself if you want to lend your signature.
Read the Statement from the Orange County District Attorney Office.