It’s not always clear what outcome a petition is after. Some petitions will align with your values. Others, when looked at just a little closer, will not. Let’s look at some points to consider when you are approached by a petitioner.
WHO initiated the petition?
Is it an individual or group you already know and trust? If not, try looking it up online or check with trusted sources. When searching online, put the petitioner’s name in quotation marks (i.e., “Jane Doe”), along with language to help narrow down the search, such as the name of their organization or their hometown.
How it is PRESENTED?
Don’t take any facts or figures cited at their word, especially if they feel false or exaggerated. You can easily check online. Use reliable, nonpartisan news sources to help you research anything confusing or suspicious.
Read the FINE print.
You need to have a clear understanding of the petition’s specific ask before signing your name to a petition. If you don’t read everything, you could be signing something that does not represent your views. Petitions will usually have a summary paragraph at the top, but there may be supplemental pages with clarifying information.
Every petition will have a POSITIVE spin. That doesn’t make it positive.
A petition is unlikely to be successful if it sounds negative, so the creators will present it in a positive way. They’ll use words that you care about, even if the sought-after outcomes don’t align with your values. For example, you may support education. A petitioner will make it sound like their petition is good for education, but if you learn more about it, you might disagree with their actions.
Petitioners CAN lie.
The person asking you to sign the petition can bend, distort, or withhold information about the outcomes of the petition. Their goal is to gain signatures. In some cases, they are compensated based on the number of signatures they collect.
You CAN say NO.
When approached by a petitioner, especially in person, you might feel pressured to sign. They might be saying positive things about a topic you care about. Still, you CAN say no, and take time to learn more about the petition. If they don’t respect that you’d like to do independent research, that’s a red flag. If you find out later that you are actually in support of the initiative, you can always reach out again.
What does your GUT say?
The last check you should do is of critical importance: Pay attention to your instincts. If something feels off, it’s probably off — don’t sign it.
