I love technology. Love, love, love. Gadgets, computers, phones, all of it. If it has electrons powering its innards, I’m probably going to like it.
Yet, this video chills me to the core. Probably not for its technological aspects so much as for what it portends. In it, a company called VeraFirma shows off its method of signing petitions via the iPhone. In the abstract and in principle, it’s a pretty neat idea. Verafirma has done a bunch of research, and thinks these signatures should be valid. Sec. of State Bowen has not yet commented on the issue, so nobody knows for sure.
However, one thing that is certain? If this method of signing a petition is upheld, the current requirements for getting something on the ballot are far too low. If this method is allowed, we will see a free for all of initiatives over the next few years until we finally do something about the initiative system. Think you’ve seen a lot of parental notification measures? Expect them on every ballot. Likewise for marriage equality and other gay rights issues. As soon as marriage equality passes, the LGBT community will be expected to defend that right at every election. The labor movement will see constant ballot attacks, as will consumers.
In fact, where this is getting its first go? Well, with an initiative to ban public employee unions from using dues money for politics. The measure is being pushed by the state’s many right-wing anti-tax “tea party” fringe. It is certainly an interesting choice for a company that is run by three Democrats with a history in state politics. Most notably, Jude Barry became very prominent with his role in the Dean campaign, and then ran Steve Westly’s 2006 campaign for governor.
Sure, there will be some progressive measures, but a system that lessens the cost of ballot access to something any two-bit organization with an email list can accomplish? Well, let’s face it folks, we’re not Athens, we’re too big, we have far too many voters for us all to properly consider each issue. We can’t handle that much direct democracy.
I love the spirit of innovation, and the excitement that future holds. Yet, we must also look at the bigger questions of why and why now?
Thanks for raising this issue Brian. I think you’re right on the larger issues this raises, as well as pointing out the troubling question of what the hell is Jude Barry doing helping the tea-party fringe???
Quite excited about this new tech. Just because we have seen fire from the right doesn’t mean that this would be dominated by them. In fact, I could imagine that this site would significantly reduce or cut out paid signature gathering, and it is a much more user friendly interface for the 18-35 year old young democratic base. If we’re talking about progressive causes, such as repealing the 2/3rds rule, spreading the word and the petitions via social media would hold much power. While it may be doubtful that the petition would reach enough viewers through electronic means alone, it marks an important step in the right direction.
Let’s be frank, the right will always have the money to put something bad on the ballot. All of the above examples have already happened multiple times, and will continue to drain progressive funds via being on the defensive. However, if we lower the opportunity costs for action on our side, we help reduce the advantage of heavily monied interests.
However, I do agree that this initial use is definitely less than savory.
The way it is now, we regular activists have to sit around waiting for someone to pony up $2,000,000 for something we support so we can go out and campaign. That means it’s always the people with the money deciding the conversation, whether from the left or the right. Progressive activists have virtually no impact on the array of ballot measures.
I think this is an idea with a lot of merit, but the increased accessibility and ease of gathering signatures would require a commensurate increase in the number of signatures required to qualify.
Perhaps there should also be a funding level requirement (earnest money, but not $2,000,000!) to demonstrate campaign viability.
Some people think voters will actually take more time to read initiatives and research the issues before signing online. Thjis woul;d be a good thing.