Jeff asks if signers of petitions should be kept secret. The argument for secrecy is that anyone who knows the name of those who signed it, would know who voted FOR the the item in question during elections.
Although for the most part, this might be true, there are people that sign petitions becuase they believe that we should have the right to vote on the issue. I have signed a couple of petitions that I didn't agree with, nor did I vote for the warrant article. I don't sign every petition that I don't agree with, but I do sign those that I believe are important enough, and bring up a good point.
How many people have signed petitions that they thought they agreed with, only to find the final ballot question was worded badly (so they couldn't support it) or that they change their minds after digging into the facts (so they no longer support it)?
Just because someone signed a petition, does not mean they absolutely voted for it in the election, so secrecy of ballot has not been negated by revealing petition signers.
I'm with you, Bogie, having signed several/many petitions over the years even though I disagreed with the stance of the petitioners. Sometimes it is just right that the issue be addressed by whomever is stated in the petition.
Posted by: Cop Car | January 17, 2010 at 09:36 AM