New legislation targets circulators of petitions

SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR

COLUMBUS — Groups that collect signatures on petitions for ballot issues would be required to register with the state and face suspension for improper activities, under legislation being introduced in the state Legislature.

State Rep. Jennifer Garrison, a Democrat from Marietta and candidate for secretary of state, said the law change was needed to cut down on the number of ballot issues and misconduct among petition circulators, many of whom are paid for each signature they collect.

“Just this year in Montgomery County [which includes Dayton], the signatures of 23 dead people showed up on petitions,” Garrison said last week. Garrison’s bill would require petition firms to be licensed by the secretary of state’s office. Individuals collecting signatures for ballot issues would have to be registered with the state as well.

The state could deny license requests or revoke licenses of circulators and invalidate collected signatures in cases of fraud.

“Ohio’s laws governing ballot initiatives unfairly place the burden on low-level petition circulators rather than the companies that hire them, don’t properly train them or train them to do anything or say anything to get the necessary signatures,” Garrison said. “Ohio must beef up the laws to protect direct democracy.”