Update on 6/6 — An insider confirms to ARLnow.com that paid signature gatherers have been supporting the change-of-government petition drive for the past several weeks. The insider says that using full-time signature gatherers is not uncommon in politics and is necessary due to the large number of signatures (14,350) required to get the issue on the ballot.
It looks like change-of-government supporters may be bringing in some hired guns to help with the daunting task of collecting more than 14,000 signatures by July 15.
According to a Craigslist ad, sent to us by an anonymous tipster, professional signature gatherers are being hired for $100 to $125 per day to “get an issue on the ballot” in Arlington County. The only Arlington ballot effort we’re aware of is the Committee for a Better Arlington‘s campaign to change the Arlington County form of government from a county manager-centric system to a system where the county board has more executive powers.
The ad was apparently posted by a Colorado-based “petition management firm,” headed by a “young political strategist” who “has managed the collection of signatures in 22 different states.”
The Committee for a Better Arlington has not responded to a request for comment on the listing.
A copy of the ad, after the jump.
make 1000 dollars in 10 days! this is a legit opportunity (Arlington County Virgina)
Date: 2010-05-28, 10:16PM EDT
Reply to: [email protected]Signature Masters inc is looking for signature gatherers to help us get an issue on the ballot for the voters and we are paying well. there is no experience required we do have trainers on staff to teach you. if you are interested in more details, please email resumes to [email protected]. please provide telephone contact information and be prepared to start right away and work a whole day with us. the only requirements are, you must be 18 years of age and a resident in arlington county.
- Location: Arlington County Virgina
- Compensation: 100- 125 per day
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.