$5 To Sign A Ballot Petition With Someone Else's Name? Video Spurs California Investigation

A video circulating online appears to show signature collectors paying group to motion inaugural petitions nether different people’s names, according to officials, and now nan authorities has opened an investigation.

The video, filmed by videographer JJ Smith, shows a agelong queue starring to a array group up astatine 6th and Mission streets successful San Francisco. A man successful statement says they are being offered $5 to motion petitions. At nan table, wherever location are lists pinch nan accusation of evident registered voters, a female confirms nan costs and — utilizing a highlighter — instructs a personification connected nan sanction and reside that she is expected to use.

“I get $5 too?” nan videographer asks.

“Yeah,” says nan woman.

“And what is it?”

“Just motion it,” she says.

Petitions connected to astatine slightest 3 ballot campaigns — including nan billionaire-backed effort to thwart California’s projected billionaire taxation — look successful nan video.

“I approached immoderate group and asked them what they were location for,” Smith told The Times. “They told maine they didn’t cognize what they were signing for, that they conscionable wanted nan $5.”

Smith said he watched nan segment for hours and estimated that a fewer 100 group cycled done nan statement complete astir 2 hours.

Those moving nan array did not inquire for anyone’s recognition and gave nary mentation of what was really being signed, he said.

The video showed elector information from San Luis Obispo County that was some visible and, arsenic specifications were spoken aloud, audible successful nan footage.

The region acted instantly aft becoming alert of nan video and initiated an investigation done nan fraud portion of nan California caput of state’s office, said Erin Clausen, nationalist accusation serviceman for nan San Luis Obispo region clerk’s office.

Clausen noted that, though elector registration information tin beryllium legally requested from region predetermination offices, nan information successful this lawsuit whitethorn person been utilized inappropriately. The region is besides readying connected reaching retired straight to voters who were specifically mentioned aliases identified successful nan video, according to Clausen.

“The activity shown successful nan video, if verified, would break California predetermination law,” County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano said successful a formal statement released Wednesday morning.

The caput of state’s agency confirmed it had opened a general investigation.

“Under California law, it is forbidden to springiness money aliases different valuable information to different successful speech for their signature connected an inaugural petition,” a spokesperson said successful a statement. “Those who maltreatment our strategy will beryllium held accountable.”

The agency is moving pinch section officials and encouraged anyone pinch accusation to record a complaint.

One governmental committee, Californians for a More Transparent and Effective Government, confirmed its petitions were among those whose signature gatherers were allegedly paying group to motion and moved quickly to region itself from nan activity.

“Under nary condition do we tolerate this type of activity successful nan signature-gathering process,” said spokesperson Molly Weedn. “We’ve taken contiguous action and person demanded that nan signature gathering patient place these circulators and cull their petitions.” Weedn said nan collectors were subcontractors, not run employees, and that attorneys were contacting authorities.

That committee is funded by different group, Building a Better California, which was besides among campaigns that appeared successful nan video. The different was for a projected inaugural called nan Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act of 2026. Representatives for nan second 2 person not responded to requests for comment.

Smith said this was not nan first clip he had witnessed this type of activity successful nan area.

“I saw thing akin pinch ballots 3 days ago,” he said.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone pinch accusation tin submit a complaint to nan Office of nan California Secretary of State aliases interaction their section region elections office.

Times unit writer Seema Mehta contributed to this report.