Intimidation Tactics in California

“It sounds like they’re trying to intimidate people from exercising what is a constitutional right,” Common Cause’s Derek Cressman quoted in two articles about a deceptive radio ad aimed at quashing signatures for petitions supporting ballot measure that don’t favor unions.

Crying fire in a crowded democracy (Paul Jacob, Townhall.com, 7/31/2011)

The group calls itself Californians Against Identity Theft (CAIT) and the radio spot is about identity theft. Well . . . sorta. Not really, though.

It’s actually an attempt to frighten people about identity theft so that they will refrain from engaging in the democratic process by signing petitions to place citizen initiative measures on the ballot for voters to decide. A number of petitions now gather up steam for a batch of newly proposed ballot initiatives, some strongly opposed by organized labor.

Unions targeted by ballot petitions plan counter campaigns (McClatchy Newspapers, 7/31/2011)

The California Service Employees International Union is urging members to call a hotline to deploy “Think Before You Ink” teams to talk voters out of signing a measure that would restrict their ability to automatically deduct dues from members’ paychecks for political purposes.

Another union-backed effort has launched website and radio ads under the name “Californians Against Identity Theft,” warning potential petition signers that, among other things, their personal information could be shipped to India.

Initiative backers and government watchdogs are crying foul, charging that the efforts are cynical and hypocritical attempts to tamp down California’s storied direct democracy.

What do you think, does this sort of intimidation work on voters who are also union members? Remember that votes are secret, but petition signatures may not be.