On September 3, the Alaska Supreme Court unanimously struck down a state law limiting payment to initiative petitioners to only $1 per signature. The decision is unanimous. Resource Development Council for Alaska v State of Alaska, S-17834. Here is the 32-page opinion. Thanks to Ken Jacobus for the news.
“we hold that the $1 a signature limit, as a hard cap, is an unconstitutional restriction on core political speech.”
This is a 1st amendment precedent.
California take note.
That was a terrible law which should have been struck down a long time ago. $1 per signature has not been a decent rate of pay for a petition in many years, even going back 20 years ago it was subpar. They also did not adjust it for inflation, which made it even worse.
I heard that they found a few ways around this law in Alaska over the years, such as by covering expense money for petition circulators, and by paying a consulting fee or something like that, to help boost the pay up.
I am glad to see this terrible law has finally beeb thrown out.
MAJOR VICTORY for REAL DEMOCRACY — unlike the BIDEN/Donkeys Disaster in AFGHAN land.
Must also sue for $$$ damages — to bankrupt all exec/judic hacks who enforce UN-constitutional laws –
in fact and via enforcement threats.
Maybe I’m not seeing something right on this issue. $1 a signature isn’t bad. It’s not suppose to be a full time career job with benefits. If you set up a table and politically decorate it right a person could make a $1,000+ a day. Maybe the problem I have with it is I don’t believe in having to gather signatures to get on the ballot. It’s neanderthal. Pay a small filing fee and that should be it.
ONE Voter forms – NOOO circulators needed.
Mail forms to candidate / issue person.
“Pay a small filing fee and that should be it.”
How many times have I said that?
It amazes me how much time and money is spent BOTH by signature collectors and election authorities verifying signatures. AND, many states badger candidates using “gig” labor to collect signatures.
SO, why don’t states just smarten up and charge filing fees instead, and actually get some revenue for printing candidates’ names on the ballot?
I agree with you Walter. Get rid of all that petition junk. Pay a reasonable filing fee, have a treasurer, and I would say have a WEB campaign site and campaign mailing address (p.o. box). I call it the three P’s:
Pay, Play, and Pray. lol
Terrible news. They should have upheld the law.