Are the names of people who sign petitions public?

Question

I signed a petition a couple years ago, and I recently found the names and home addresses of myself and the others who signed the petition online, published by a website that opposes the petition. Is there anything I can do to get the website to remove my name? I'm extremely uncomfortable being targeted like that.

Thank you,
Sean

Just to clarify, I'm not so worried about people knowing my name and position on the issue, but the manner in which it was displayed with my address (and the context in which it was printed) seem inappropriate. At what point could I have it taken down? Has anyone ever succeeded in pressuring someone into removing their information?

Answer 1

Freedom of speech and freedom to petition the government has a bit of a price. Yes the names can be made public. Does not seem fair but if you felt strongly enough to sign you should feel stongly enough to stand behind your decision to sign and the reason you signed regardless of what anyone else says. Now if you can prove this petition was a fake and the names were taken under false pretenses then I would talk to a lawyer.

Answer 2

Sean-you signed it and it's public. Sorry about your discomfort. Never sign a petition if you do not want it to be public. That's the basic purpose of a petition. Of course, you can always say you received new information and have changed your mind. Seems to work for politicians.

Answer 3

Petitions are public record. That's an important element of the spirit of the petition. A group wishing to demonstrate public support for their position asked you to sign their petition. When you sign, you are saying, "I agree with this position, and I am willing show my support by putting my name on this document." The circulators may have asked for your address to prove that each signer is a real person.
Imagine how lame our Declaration of Independence would be if our founding fathers had wished to remain anonymous.

Answer 4

Who can protect you even if you are unlisted and give the information out. Now you have just listed your information. I even worry about the information I give out on the web. My information is compromised the most by insurance companies and fishing licenses. See sometimes you just can't win. Yes, petitions are public property. If you are going to participate you need a PO box and a phone number that is not connected to your address.

Answer 5

Oh, yes. Years ago when I worked in NYC, I pretty much signed everyone's petitions--as long as they weren't outlandish. That came back to haunt me when I applied for a federal job--I had apparently signed one from the Communist Party--very much to my dismay and shock. Needless to say, I didn't get the job--though they did believe the explanation of my childishness at age 21.