Concerns Over Alleged Signature Forgery in California
A recent undercover investigation suggests that California’s homeless population may be exploited to forge signatures on various petitions. The inquiry, which surfaced through footage shared with Los Angeles residents, raised significant alarm.
In the footage, one resident, when questioned about a voter named Vicki Walker, expressed disbelief, stating that Walker hadn’t lived at his address for nearly a decade, and he hadn’t received his ballot yet. “This is clearly a scam,” he remarked.
Another person, Paul Sun, reacted with shock upon seeing a video where a homeless individual allegedly signed a petition using his name and address. He and his wife were taken aback to learn their personal information had been misused in a petition related to Uber. His wife stated her determination to track down the source of this issue.
The O’Keefe Media Group explained that personal details, including names and signatures, were sourced from registered voter lists, claiming these forgeries bypassed the registration process, particularly affecting many on Skid Row.
This investigative report highlighted a troubling trend targeting a vulnerable population. Undercover journalists observed interactions where individuals collecting signatures were compensated, with one homeless man stating he earned $3 for signing as many as 14 names. When questioned about the oversight by those paying for signatures, he noted that failing to fill out the petition correctly meant not getting paid.
Interestingly, when asked about cooperation among signature gatherers, one individual became evasive, suggesting hostility toward too many questions.
The video cited California Election Code 18613, which specifies that signing a petition in another person’s name is a felony, with penalties including imprisonment. Additionally, it referenced California Penal Code 470, which addresses counterfeiting. Recent reports indicated that individuals from Skid Row were likely being paid to register to vote, further intensifying scrutiny on this matter.
