Video shows S.F. petition gatherers offering $5 per signature

Authorities investigating potential election law violations in signature-gathering efforts

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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A video circulating on social media appears to show signature gatherers in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood openly offering money to homeless people to sign ballot initiative petitions using someone else's name, which could be a violation of California election law. The signature-gathering efforts are connected to campaigns backed by prominent tech billionaires, and officials are now investigating the matter.

Why it matters

This incident highlights ongoing concerns about potential fraud and abuse in the signature-gathering process for ballot initiatives in California. While paying per signature is a common practice, offering money to individuals to sign using someone else's name is illegal and undermines the integrity of the electoral process.

The details

The video, filmed on Monday afternoon, shows more than a dozen people lined up on the sidewalk behind a group of signature gatherers who were contracted by an unknown firm. In the video, a man can be heard saying the gatherers were offering $5 per signature, which is illegal under state law. The gatherers can also be heard instructing people to write down someone else's name and address, rather than using their own.

  • The video was filmed on Monday, March 10, 2026 around 1:54 p.m.

The players

Building a Better California

A recently formed political group backed by prominent tech billionaires that supports multiple ballot efforts, including the 'Better Results' campaign to oppose a proposed tax on billionaires and the 'Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act' campaign.

Better Results

A campaign supported by Building a Better California that aims to oppose a proposed tax on billionaires.

Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act

A campaign supported by Building a Better California that calls for a constitutional amendment to bar all new taxes on certain assets and financial holdings.

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What they’re saying

“To be clear, we are outraged and do not tolerate this or any type of fraudulent activity in the signature-gathering process.”

— Abby Lunardini, Spokesperson, Building a Better California (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Under no circumstance do we tolerate this type of activity in the signature-gathering process. For our campaign specifically, we've taken immediate action and have demanded the signature-gathering firm identify these circulators and reject their petitions.”

— Molly Weedn, Spokesperson, Better Results campaign (San Francisco Chronicle)

“As soon as we became aware of the activities in question, we demanded that our signature-gathering firm identify the petition circulator, reject any and all petitions submitted by this circulator. We are requiring the signature-gathering firm to ensure that all protocols are strictly enforced.”

— Nathan Click, Spokesperson, Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act campaign (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The California Secretary of State's office is investigating the matter, and the campaigns involved have contacted the signature-gathering firm to demand that they reject any petitions submitted by the circulators seen in the video.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring the integrity of the ballot initiative process in California, where paying per signature is a common but controversial practice. It underscores the need for stronger oversight and enforcement to prevent potential fraud and abuse, and to uphold the democratic principles of free and fair elections.