AG Drew Edmondson says petition circulators should follow state law

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson says people who circulate or sign initiative petitions must follow state law or risk having the signatures invalidated.<br/><br/>Edmondson issued the

Thursday, December 15th 2005, 5:54 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Attorney General Drew Edmondson says people who circulate or sign initiative petitions must follow state law or risk having the signatures invalidated.

Edmondson issued the warning Wednesday following the arrest of a 16-year-old Massachusetts resident who was circulating a "Taxpayer Bill of Rights" petition outside an Oklahoma City Wal-Mart.

He says those who organize initiative petition drives should staff their operation with qualified workers so citizens can exercise their right to petition their government without fear that their voice will be stricken.

State law requires anyone who circulates an initiative petition to be a qualified elector of the state, meaning at least 18 years old and a resident.

Signatures taken by an unqualified circulator can be thrown out.

Opponents have alleged that TABOR supporters are using out-of-state circulators in violation of state law.

The proposed constitutional amendment -- State Question 726 -- limits spending increases to population growth and inflation.