Mass. Senate approves bill to crackdown on deceptive signature gathering

[Ian David]

(Mass.) Senate approves bill to crackdown on deceptive signature gathering tactics

Senate approves bill cracking down on deceptive signature gathering tactics

November 3, 2005

BOSTON --A bill designed to outlaw so-called "bait and switch" tactics by paid signature gathers won approval in the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday.

The bill makes deceptive signature gathering tactics a crime punishable by up to $1,000 or a year in prison.

The measure also requires the state to print petition sheets in different colors so voters can distinguish different questions. All petition signature gathering companies would also be required to register with the Secretary of State.

The bill stems from complaints by some voters and gay activists who said paid signature gatherers lied and tricked voters into signing a proposed constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Massachusetts, the only state to allow same-sex marriage.

At a recent public hearing some voters said they were asked to sign a petition to allow the sale of wine in grocery stores and then told they had to sign a second sheet of paper -- sometimes being told that it was the same amendment when in fact is was the gay marriage question.

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/11/03/senate_approves_bill_cracking_down_on_deceptive_signature_gathering_tactics/?rss_id=Boston.com+%2F+News


Related thread:

PETITION BACKERS EMBARRASSED; LASH OUT AT HEARING
Topic started by IanDB1 on Oct-23-05 03:48 PM (3 replies)
Last modified by kevinbgoode on Oct-23-05 08:04 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=221&topic_id=18526


See also:

KnowThyNeighbor.org
Protect marriage for ALL families in Massachusetts!
http://knowthyneighbor.blogs.com/

[Rockholm]

1. This is good news and long overdue.

[Blaze Diem]

2. Every State With 2006 Elections should be following the lead of

Mass. Thanks.the ONLY way to save our Democracy..and impeach the Bush criminals..and thus giving way to NO CHANCE for pardon...(they'll all be proven for what they are.)

Its all about the 2006 elections and the restoration of a legal voting system.

We all need to be paying serious attention from here on through.

Thanks for this heads-up post IanDB1..

Blaze