Petitions are a way for citizens to directly engage with their government and influence policy decisions. By gathering signatures, petitioners can demonstrate public support for an issue and compel lawmakers to address it. But what actually happens when a petition gathers enough signatures? Here’s an overview of the petition process and the potential impact of popular petitions.
How many signatures does a petition need?
The number of signatures required for a petition to be effective varies greatly depending on the jurisdiction and type of petition. Some key signature thresholds include:
- Federal petitions in the United States – 100,000+ signatures may elicit an official response from the White House
- State petitions – tens of thousands of signatures may be required to trigger consideration by a state legislature
- Local petitions – just a few thousand signatures from local residents may be enough to get the attention of city/county officials
- Online petitions – platforms like Change.org have lower signature thresholds, but the impact depends on accompanying awareness campaigns
In general, gathering more signatures strengthens the message sent by a petition and increases the pressure on lawmakers to address it. But there is no fixed threshold that guarantees a petition will be enacted or elicit a particular response.
Verification of signatures
Before taking action on a petition, the receiving government body often verifies that the signatures are valid. This may involve:
- Checking geographical information like addresses or districts
- matching signatures against voter registration records
- Eliminating duplicate signatures
- Following up on a sample of signatures via phone, mail or email
The verification process ensures that only signatures from constituents are counted towards the total. Invalid or fraudulent signatures are removed. The petitioners may be asked to obtain additional signatures if too many are rejected during verification.
What governmental bodies can petitions be submitted to?
Petitions can be submitted to legislative bodies at the federal, state and local level. Some specific examples include:
- U.S. Congress – Petitions can be submitted to either the House of Representatives or Senate.
- State legislatures – Most states allow petitions to be submitted to initiate legislation or influence the governor and legislators.
- City councils – Petitions allow residents to initiate municipal ordinances or pressure city officials on issues.
- County boards – Counties may allow petitions on county policies and governance.
- Ballot initiatives – Signatures can place citizen-authored legislation directly onto a state ballot.
Additionally, many government agencies also accept public petitions on regulations and administrative decisions within their authority. Petitions create an avenue for citizens to provide input on any level of governance.
Outcomes from successful petitions
There are a variety of potential outcomes once a petition obtains sufficient signatures, including:
- Official response – The elected body may formally address the petition with a written statement or press release.
- Public hearing – A committee may convene a public hearing to discuss the petition and potential legislative action.
- Bill introduction – If initiated by voters, the petition may automatically introduce a bill or ballot measure.
- Investigations – Responsible agencies may be compelled to investigate issues highlighted by the petition.
- Policy change – Petitions can directly lead to new regulations, programs or funding in line with the demands.
- Referendum – A referendum may be triggered to put the petition proposal up for a public vote.
While not every petition achieves its desired result, those that hit signature thresholds are very difficult for lawmakers to ignore. At minimum, they guarantee that the public voice on an issue is heard by officials with the power to act.
Case study: Petition leads to new UK hate crime laws
In the United Kingdom, a petition on the parliament website gained over 500,000 signatures calling for “Helen’s Law” – a legislative proposal to deny parole to murderers who do not reveal the location of their victim’s body. The petition was started by the mother of Helen McCourt, who was murdered in 1988 but whose body was never recovered.
The massive public response to the petition led the UK government to formally respond in support of the proposal. It stated: ” Helen’s Law will … deliver justice for the victims of these particular crimes and their families by denying parole to murderers who withhold information about their victims.” The government then worked directly with Members of Parliament to draft legislation and mobilize support in the House of Commons.
In November 2020, the “Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill” was passed into law, demonstrating the ability of petitions supported by widespread signatures and public pressure to change government policy.
Challenges and criticisms of the petition process
While petitions can be impactful, the process also faces some key challenges and criticisms, such as:
- Officials may give merely symbolic responses without meaningful action.
- Fluctuating verification standards can discount legitimate signatures.
- Thresholds may be too high for minority viewpoints to be considered.
- Online petitions are easy to manipulate with fake signatures.
- They can be used to “astroturf” the appearance of grassroots support.
Additionally,some lawmakers argue that petitions should not override the role of elected representatives. But overall, petitions remain a critical tool for channeling public opinion into the policymaking process when done legitimately.
Tips for creating successful petitions
Here are some tips for maximizing the impact of a petition campaign:
- Have a clear, specific “ask” demanding a particular action.
- Submit to the appropriate target for influence – whether Congress, state/local bodies, agencies, etc.
- Gather contact information from signers to verify location.
- Partner with advocacy groups to promote the petition.
- Pick up media coverage to boost public awareness.
- Follow up persistently even after submission.
Conclusion
Petitions play an important role in translating public support into political change. While signature totals alone may not change minds, they signal overwhelming pressure that is difficult for lawmakers to ignore. With proper targeting, legitimacy and promotion, petitions allow citizens to place issues firmly on the government agenda for consideration. Combined with sustained advocacy, they can be the impetus for enacting new policies, reforms and laws.