Petition Pandemonium

By: Mr. Wilson on June 28, 2006

There sure is a lot of hubbub over petitions these days in Nebraska. Apparently petitioners are being annoying, and petition-blockers are getting feisty. Ahh, the joys of civil society. Why must people act like such children in matters political? Sorry, that question is too rhetorical. Here's one I really wonder: why are people so afraid of petition circulators? Secretary of State John Gale has the perfect solution, even though it's not clear there is a problem: more regulations! He wants to require of petition circulators:

Fluency in English.
English is not the official language. What Mr. Gale really wants to require is that petition circulators be able to accurately explain the petition to potential signers. That may happen in English or any other language, dependent upon the language needs of the signer. The circulator needs to be able to communicate to signers, not necessarily speak English to them.
At least 17 years old.
Why? This sounds like a solution without a problem. If a fifth grader can do the job, why not let him participate in the process?
No felony record.
Again, why? Another solution without a problem. One's criminal background has little to do with one's ability to circulate a petition. Besides, no self-respecting cause wants a bunch of cons circulating its petitions anyway.
Registration.
A classic bureaucrat's solution. If we can make the paperwork as onerous as possible, the problem will fade away...

Locally, Lincoln is being sued because one group's circulator was barred from entering the Celebrate Lincoln festival Downtown earlier this month. The City's argument is that since the area was leased to a private group, that group can bar circulators if they want to. The group says huh-uh, it's public property, we should have access. Any of you legal types know the latest caselaw on that topic?

Lincolnite

Petition Pandemonium

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