Libertarian Party Colorado Candidates

Editor's note: With responsibility for ballot access being devolved to state parties, an understanding of petitioning nuts-and-bolts is more important for LP activists. In this essay, Richard Moroney shares some "Petitioning 101" tips.

The first thing to understand about petitioning is that it has nothing to do with making converts or winning votes. The single purpose is to ask as many people as quickly as possible.

Consequently, the first goal of petitioning is to find a place with a lot of people on foot. Petitioning people going into sports events provides a steady stream of foot traffic in a relatively short time. When the weather improves, petitioning spectators at children's baseball or soccer games works well.

Mostly you need to make sure you're on public property (and avoid blocking traffic, for instance) or that you have the property owner/manager's advance permission (I've had great success petitioning in front of a grocery store).

Next, you need to keep your pitch short. Here's a text I've typically used: "Hi. I'm hoping you can help me out. This is a petition to put an independent candidate for governor on the ballot in November. Signing doesn't mean you'll vote for the candidate or support him in any way, it only helps get his name on the ballot. Can you help out?"

Don't say anything else. Accept whatever decision they make with a "thank you," and be ready to move on to the next person.

Try not to get into conversation with anyone because it distracts you from the next potential signer. If they seem concerned about getting on a mailing list, you can safely guarantee them they won't. If they want information, ask them to sign and you'll put a mark by their name so you'll know to have information mailed to them later. (And make sure you follow up on this).

A clipboard is required equipment. They're inexpensive at office supply stores.

In fact, it's a good idea to buy two. When you're petitioning, you'll frequently encounter groups. If one person in a group agrees to sign, often "peer pressure" will work to get others to sign as well, but these people aren't likely to wait their turn to sign. I've been in situations where three or four clipboards were being signed simultaneously within one group that was then quickly able to get on their way.

If you do decide on door-to-door petitioning, try to go between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm on a weekday. (I know, it's supper time; actually, people mostly don't seem to mind that much). Pick a place where the houses are fairly close together.

And change your "pitch" slightly by starting off with "Hi, my name's Joe Smith and I'm hoping you can help me out." They won't remember your name but the fact that you've offered it makes it personal and they're somewhat more willing to help.

Richard Moroney is a resident of Davenport, Iowa.