Welcome to the Murtari Campaign! We’re glad to have your help as we gather signatures to get John’s name on the ballot. This page will describe how to record signatures on the petition and also have some advice on getting signatures.
The designating petition is most important. It will be reviewed by the State Board of Elections. Any mistakes can result in 20 signatures being invalidated. The top of the form is all pre-filled. Click on the example at left for a larger version.
Next, you have the table where signatures are gathered (the actual form has space for 20). It’s your job to fill in the date, the persons address, and the city/town name. The person then adds their signature (always required).
Where the most mistakes are made:
- Always double check with the voter list to ensure the address you write matches the person.
- In the last column, make sure use the name of the Town/City, it is frequently different from the mailing address. For example, if their address says Newark, under town/city, you would write Arcadia.
Finally, when you are finished gathering signatures for that sheet:
- At the bottom, you fill out the Statement of Witness. In the example the name “Chris Doe” is used. All the information there is your information, your name, your mailing address and your town and county, along with your signature.
Make sure you remember to write in the number of signatures on the sheet, especially if you didn’t get all twenty lines filled.
Do not write anything for the page number, that’s used when the campaign files the petitions with the Board of Elections.
Helpful tips when collecting signatures:
- It’s completely fine to be a little nervous. However, you’ll quickly find that most people you approach will settle into a conversation, even without knowing you. Many times, the issue becomes ending the conversation so you can go on to the next person.
- Having a clip-board or some solid notebook with you makes it easier to complete the forms, especially if you are speaking in a porch, not invited inside the home.
- Always be polite, even if they aren’t. Many people just don’t want to be bothered – that is OKAY!
- If they don’t seem interested, thank them for their time, and go on. No need to argue – there’s always another voter to ask.
- Appropriate clothing. People are far more likely to answer the door if they see someone dressed well. Wearing the lanyard around your neck with the campaign business card should help.
- After leaving a residence. Make sure you indicate on your voter list what happened. Nothing fancy, just S for signed, NS for not signed, NA for no answer. This helps if another person goes to the same area later.