Fraud Risk? Candidates Pay Signature Gatherers To Get On Ballot

The integrity of the electoral process can be compromised when campaigns rely on third-party signature gatherers, as was the case in Michigan's 2022 gubernatorial primary. Five Republican candidates were thrown off the ballot due to petition signature fraud, representing half the field. This incident highlights the importance of ensuring the validity of signatures and the potential consequences of neglecting this crucial aspect of the electoral process. It's a reminder that elections are complex systems that require constant vigilance and attention to detail.

During Michigan's 2022 gubernatorial primary, at least 68,000 invalid signatures were identified, leading to a significant political shakeup. This level of signature fraud was unprecedented for Michigan officials. The sources of this fraud were not entirely clear, but a few paid gatherers and multiple companies were suspected. Signature fraud can take various forms, such as using fake names or dead voters, or a practice called roundtabling, where multiple people sign the same petition sheet. However, not all invalid signatures are fraudulent. Some voters may mistakenly sign multiple times or provide incorrect information. Judge Choate acknowledged that checking signatures is the most challenging aspect of administering elections. This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.

The process of gathering signatures for ballot initiatives and candidate nominations involves both passionate volunteers and paid professionals, with the latter becoming more prevalent in recent times due to various factors such as the pandemic. While it's difficult to quantify the exact scale of this phenomenon, it's important to note that this aspect of elections doesn't receive much academic attention and varies greatly from state to state. Traditionally, candidates and initiatives have had to prove they have sufficient voter support by gathering signatures, but with the rise of paid signature gatherers, the authenticity and representation of the electorate's will can be called into question. This issue highlights the importance of transparency and regulation in signature gathering processes to ensure fair and democratic elections.

Paying signature gatherers per signature is a significant contributor to election fraud, as the cost has skyrocketed from just a few dollars to upwards of $20.30 per signature. Experts suggest that paying workers by the hour instead could reduce the incentive for fraud. Some states, like California and Colorado, are taking regulatory action to address this issue, with plans to require registration and training for paid canvassers, as well as penalties for bad actors and the companies that hire them. These efforts aim to both prevent future fraud and penalize those who have already committed it.

While regulatory measures aimed at ensuring the validity of ballot signatures may seem reasonable, there is a concern that they could limit access for normal people to participate in the petition process. This is particularly a worry when it comes to paid canvassers, as some states are considering cracking down on them to prevent astroturfing. However, it's important to strike a balance between regulating financial incentives and protecting grassroots, volunteer-led initiatives. Candidates and campaigns want valid signatures, so their contracts with signature-gathering companies should include consequences for faulty signatures. Alternatively, there could be nongovernmental ways to change the incentive structure. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain the integrity of the petition process while ensuring that it remains accessible to all.

During the ballot measure process, paid signature collectors can sometimes engage in fraudulent activities. Jamie Roe, who experienced this issue firsthand, suggested that volunteers are less likely to commit fraud because of their inherent motivation towards the cause. However, campaigns can make informed decisions by asking companies about their payment methods and checking their history. The existence of paid signature collectors and fraudulent activities may make voters more cynical, but it's important to remember that the impact on democracy is less significant than traditional voter fraud. While it may not directly affect voters' lives, it's a concern that campaigns and voters should be aware of when it comes to the legitimacy of ballot measures.

While there has been significant focus on threats to election officials and misinformation in recent years, there are also important issues related to the improvement of American elections that have been overlooked. Reporters like Ashley Lopez have highlighted these issues, and it's important that we continue to focus on them moving forward. Despite the attention given to election security, there are still ways to enhance the electoral process, and it's crucial that we don't lose sight of these opportunities for improvement. The NPR Politics Podcast hosts Tamara Keith, Myles Parks, and Ashley Lopez discussed the importance of addressing these issues and the challenges faced in doing so. They also touched upon how Washington wise, an original podcast for investors from Charles Schwab, and Mint Mobile, a wireless service provider, are sponsors of NPR.