The NPR Politics Podcast Fraud Risk? Candidates Pay Signature Gatherers To Get On Ballot
Apr 6, 2023
The discussion dives into the alarming fallout from fraudulent signatures in Michigan's gubernatorial race. It explores the shady tactics used by dishonest gatherers and the challenges election officials face. Concerns about the integrity of democracy are raised, particularly the shift from volunteer to paid signature gathering. The podcast considers potential regulatory solutions to balance fraud prevention with grassroots access. It also contrasts the effectiveness of paid canvassers versus volunteers in maintaining public trust in elections.
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Michigan GOP Signature Fraud
- Five GOP gubernatorial candidates in Michigan were disqualified due to fraudulent signatures on their petitions.
- This incident highlighted the widespread issue of signature fraud in ballot access.
Methods of Signature Fraud
- Invalid signatures, including fake names and duplicate entries from real voters, were submitted.
- Some canvassers used "round tabling," where individuals sign the same petition sheet multiple times, creating false appearances of support.
Signature Verification Challenges
- Verifying petition signatures is a known challenge for election officials.
- Colorado's election director, Judd Choate, highlighted this difficulty, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the problem.