Commentary: Use caution before signing political petitions

The other day I was pulling into a driveway and a petition-gatherer was there to greet me. The first thing he stated was, “Would you like to sign a petition to keep the marijuana cooperatives at least 1,000 feet from parks and schools?”

I was dumbfounded. If I had not attended the Costa Mesa council meeting and read about the other potential ballot measures, I might have signed what he was selling. I read the statement on his clipboard and told him he shouldn’t mislead residents.

I told him what he was holding was a petition for a ballot measure to open four cooperatives in Costa Mesa. He proceeded to argue with me and say, yes, but it says here they must be at least 1,000 feet from schools and parks.

I told him, yes, that is included in the measure, but the purpose of the signatures is to put on the ballot a measure to open up the cooperatives, not keep them away from parks and schools, as he was implying.

After I had time to ponder what had happened, it occurred to me many people probably do not read the entire initiative on the clipboard to see what they are signing. Many times residents rely on what the petition-gatherer is communicating to them. And often it sounds like a great idea as we are walking out of the grocery store and wanting to get home after a long day at work.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to keep the cooperatives away from parks and schools, right? Just sign on the dotted line.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much protection other than the fact that, by law, the initiative’s official title and summary must be printed across the top of the petition. In addition, if you learn about what you signed and disagree, you may withdraw your name by filing a written request with the appropriate election official.

Absent some type of signature-gathering reform, the responsibility lies with the resident to be informed. Responsible petitioning is further restricted by the fact that the gatherer may be getting paid, giving him or her an incentive to get as many signatures as possible even if it means communicating misleading information that sounds favorable to the public.

You have the right to ask if the person seeking signatures is being paid.

Your decision should be based on the initiative and not on the petition-gatherer. Know your rights, read the initiative and make an informed decision. A little bit of skepticism goes a long way.

JONATHAN FOSTER lives in Costa Mesa.