Guide To Designating Petitions (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

When gathering signatures, you will need the following materials:

(1)

Copies of your designating petitions

(2)

Blue or Black Pens

(3)

A “walking list” (names and addresses of registered voters in your council district)

(4)

Clipboard or stiff material to write on

Step 4: Start gathering your signatures.

Begin gathering your signatures by going door-

Five steps to get an accurate signature

to-door using your walking list of registered

voters in your District. Typically, the best time to

1. Be certain that the person signing is

go door-to-door is after work hours on weekdays

registered to vote in your council

or on weekends.

district

2. Put the date in the first column

Signatures must be from registered voters of

your political party in your district and each

3. Have them sign their name in cursive

voter is only allowed to sign the petition of one

4. Print their name on the line below their

candidate.

signature

5. Print their street address in the column

A sample talking script is included below for use

labeled “Residence”

by volunteers when going door-to-door.

“Hello, My name is _________, may I speak to ________? I am volunteer for _____________, who is

running for _______. I am collecting signatures to allow ____________’s name to be placed on the

ballot for the Primary Election on September __. Would you please sign for me?”

Many voters may not understand what the petitioning process is all about. If they show

hesitation about signing, don’t give up. You may respond by clarifying,

“You’re not committing to vote for anybody by signing this petition. You’re just supporting the

democratic process and allowing _________’s right to run for office by being on the ballot. Will you

sign just to support _________’s right to run for public office and our right to have a choice of who to

vote for?”

If the voters ask questions about your background, you and/or your volunteers should be

prepared to give a very short answer as to why you are the best candidate. If the voter still

refuses to sign your petition, politely thank the voter for his or her time and go on to the next

house or apartment.

If you make an error on the petition form, cross out the information with a single line and

initial any change you make. The initials should match those of the name printed in the

“Statement of Witness.” Note: never use whiteout to correct a mistake.

Step 6: After you are finished gathering signatures, complete the “Statement of Witness”

on the bottom of the designating petition.

Guide To Designating Petitions Page 2

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