- Only Ohio registered voters may sign the petition!
- You must use a different petition packet per county.
- You must personally witness each signature you collect.
Before Collecting Signatures
- Familiarize yourself with the proposed amendment and talking points.
- Be prepared!
- Dress for the job: Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate gear, and no offensive messaging on clothing.
- Have a clipboard with plenty of petitions, information cards, blue or black pens, and voter registration forms ready. Bring water!
When Collecting Signatures
- You must use a different petition packet for each county.
- Do talk to strangers! Start by saying hi to anyone you encounter and asking if they are registered to vote.
- Only Ohio registered voters may sign the petition! If someone is not registered or does not know if they are registered but wants to sign the petition, they can do so and fill out a voter registration form at the same time. You will turn in their voter registration form for them when you turn in your petitions.
- Signers must provide, in blue or black ink, their
- Legal signature
- Their printed name
- The address, city, state and zip code where they are registered to vote.
- PO Boxes are not permitted.
- Date of signature
- The ward/precinct section can be left blank.
- You (the signature gatherer) may fill in the printed name, address of the signer, and the date, if needed, but the voter must be the one to actually sign the petition. Signers may not sign for other people, including a spouse.
- You (the signature gatherer) may not sign for anyone else.
- You cannot sign your own petition.
- Do not leave your petitions unattended. You must witness each signature that you collect.
- If there is a mistake, draw a line through that entire signature line and start a new line. Do not use whiteout or scribble out parts of the petition!
- Do not write in the margin, make any unnecessary marks on, cut, or disassemble the petition.
- Do not allow anyone to sign the petition more than once. If someone cannot recall whether or not they have signed, allow them to sign but let them know their signature only counts once.
- You can not pay anyone or offer anything of value in return for a signature.
- Never make copies of the petitions. If you need additional petitions, please contact the petition lead or field organizer in your area (contact info included in the packet).
- If you are being harassed or made uncomfortable, move away from the person or situation. Do not engage. If someone follows you when you walk away, go inside a private business and wait for them to pass. Please report this immediately to the contact in your petition packet. If you feel your physical safety is at risk, call 911.
After Collecting Signatures
- After a petition is complete or when you are done collecting signatures, please read and sign the Statement of Circulator at the end of the petition, and enter in the number of signatures you’ve collected on that petition. If you have crossed out any lines, do not include them in your count.
- Return your petitions to the petition lead or field organizer in your area.
THANK YOU!