Statement from the Clerk-Recorder Regarding Video of Petition Signature Gathering
Author: SLO County Clerk-Recorder's Office
Date: 3/11/2026 8:36 AM
A video is circulating on social media that shows people in San Francisco being offered money to sign ballot petitions using names and addresses taken from voter registration lists. The SLO County Clerk-Recorder contacted the CA Secretary of State's Office upon viewing the video and that office has opened an investigation.
Statement from San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano Regarding Video of Petition Signature Gathering:
The San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s Office is aware of a video circulating on social media that appears to show individuals in San Francisco offering money to people to sign ballot initiative petitions using names and addresses taken from voter registration lists.
Our office contacted the California Secretary of State’s Office as soon as we saw the video, and they have opened an investigation into the incident. The activity shown in the video, if verified, would violate California election law.
Under California law, petition circulators may be paid to gather signatures. However, it is illegal to offer money or other incentives to voters in exchange for signing a petition. It is also illegal for someone to sign another person’s name or provide false information on a petition.
Per California Elections Code 19003, individuals may apply for and receive voter information data files for purposes related to an election or political activities, government use, or for scholarly or journalistic use, among other limited parameters.
As of this morning, the SLO County Clerk-Recorder’s Office has not received any petitions related to the incident included in the video.
When petitions are submitted to county elections officials, signatures are reviewed and verified against the county’s voter registration records. Signatures that do not match a registered voter’s information are not counted.
Voters should never sign a petition using anyone else’s name or allow someone to fill out a petition on their behalf.
Anyone who believes they may have witnessed election or petition fraud should report it to the California Secretary of State’s Election Fraud Investigation Unit.
The Clerk-Recorder’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and cooperate with the SOS and any investigating authorities. We will also share updates with our voters as available and appropriate.
