Petition or pay: that’s the question

Published June 22nd, 2008

By John Johnston
Managing Editor

Senator Jeff Atwater, (R-25) – and who represents both Boca Raton and Delray Beach – has filed reelection papers, qualifying for the state election ballot through securing 9,000 petition signatures.

Florida law requires candidates to collect at least one percent of the number of people registered to vote in the district in the previous general election – in Atwater’s case, at least 2,800 signatures to qualify.

But there’s another way to get on the ballot; get out your checkbook.

So for some lightly funded candidates, gathering signatures is the only way to get on the ballot.  And while it wouldn’t have caused Atwater any financial concerns to come up with the $1,916 filing fee for state legislative candidates, he’s going to need all he has in his upcoming tussle with former, and still popular, legislator --- Walter “Skip” Campbell of Fort Lauderdale.

Atwater’s problem with Campbell is that Democrat Campbell is even liked by otherwise stalwart Republicans – or at least that’s what one of those Republicans told the Boca Raton News.

Nonetheless, and regardless of how the filing fee affects the wallet, candidates point proudly to the number of petition signatures – sort of a litmus test on being liked – similar to the number of votes one gets in becoming prom queen, or student body president.

It gives the candidate who gets a lot of signature a great deal of free publicity – in effect saying: “look at how many people like me.”

Put another way: it’s also a male candidate’s chance to declare machismo: “Pay?  I don’t think so.”

And with enough signatures doesn’t have to.

Atwater is no less proud about the number of signatures collected on his behalf – his press release announcing the fact saying:

“Senator Atwater and his grassroots neighborhood volunteer teams collected around 9,000 signatures from voters in Broward and Palm Beach County,” said Campaign Manager Sandy Stevens. “People every where responded to Jeff's hands-on style, his fight to reform property insurance and his tough stand on criminal gangs.”

In the same release Atwater himself said: “I've been honored by the powerful response to my campaign in neighborhoods in every corner of District 25.  We chose to qualify the old-fashioned way, seeking the direct support of friends and neighbors by knocking on doors, meeting people and hearing the concerns of the voters. We received signatures and encouragement from Republicans, Democrats and Independents from all walks of life, and the experience has left me even more energized and prepared to run a vigorous campaign to win this election and continue my service to the people of Broward and
Palm Beach.”

Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer has declared defending Atwater's seat as the party's "number 1 priority"– which would account for, in part, for why Atwater has already collected more than $1.5 million to fend off Campbell.

But at least he’s not going to have to come up with a filing fee.