How To Sign a Petition
Increase Your Impact When You Sign Online Petitions
There are millions of online petitions on every cause and issue imaginable. But do they make a difference?
Here’s how to increase your impact.
First, a little background
A petition is a formal written request made to an authority or organized body, or, a written request or call for change signed by many people in support of a shared cause or concern.
The practice goes as far back as ancient Egypt when enslaved people petitioned for better working conditions while building the pyramids. In the U.S., the right to petition the government is one of the five fundamental freedoms under the First Amendment (along with the freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly).
Historically, petitions in the U.S. have been particularly important for people excluded from voting. Mass petitioning played a key role in the women’s suffrage movement and has also given voice to other disenfranchised populations who had few other legal means to express their grievances. Some of the largest early mass petitions were for the abolition of slavery and protesting the government’s removal of the Cherokee Nation from their ancestral lands.
Types of petitions
According to the American Bar Association, there are three types of mass petitions:
Political petitions
This includes petitions filed by political candidates to get on a ballot, petitions to recall elected officials, and petitions for ballot initiatives. Typically, signers must be U.S. citizens, registered voters, and live in the election district impacted by the petition.
Public purpose petitions
We have a constitutionally protected right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” These petitions generally ask officials to take - or not take - a specific action. They might be addressed to policymakers, government bodies, or administrative agencies. These petitions are shared publicly to amass as many signers as possible. Today, most public purpose petitions are also a form of online petitions.
Online petitions
With the advent of the internet, online petitions have become one of the most popular ways to take action on political and social justice issues. They raise awareness about an issue and build public pressure to meet the petitioners’ demands. They can be addressed to companies, public figures, or politicians. Unlike public purpose petitions, online petitions are not always specific as to what actions to take and do not follow established civic or political processes.
Are online petitions effective?
Online petitions are often criticized for being “slacktivism,” or a form of performative allyship. Although online petitions rarely make a long-term difference, they are an important part of the democratic process and can be beneficial.
Raise awareness
Signing - and more importantly, sharing - online petitions can help bring attention to and build momentum on issues that might otherwise remain under the radar. If there is enough public attention, it can spur the media to run stories on the issues and help movements grow.
Build public pressure
Online petitions that generate enough attention can send a signal to decision-makers on where public opinion stands. Build enough pressure, and a petition can cause a company, public figure, or politician to respond to and meet the demands of the petitioners. This is particularly true for corporations who fear that bad publicity will lead to decreased profits. Learn more in our How to Harness Your Consumer Power for Good post.
A stepping stone to more meaningful engagement
Signing an online petition is a great way to get your feet wet as an everyday activist. It’s also a great way to show your support for a broad range of social justice issues. However, the best way to get your desired result is to combine signing a petition with other forms of activism and action. Learn how to become an everyday activist and explore our Learn and Take Action archive for ideas.
How to make online petitions more effective
Ensure there is a target and a specific demand
Petitions with unclear goals or that make sweeping statements and have a vague target are less likely to have the desired impact (for example: “politicians must protect our democracy”). Look for petitions aimed at a specific person or company and that demand a specific action (for example: “Member of Congress - pass the For the People Act”).
Read the fine print
Everyday Activism Network vets all the petitions that we recommend to ensure they align with progressive values and are unlikely to have unintended consequences. When identifying online petitions independently, you should always do your research to make sure it’s a petition you agree with. For example, suppose you are asked to sign a petition to end child trafficking. Of course, everyone is against child trafficking. This seems like a no-brainer, but upon reading the full text, you might discover that the petition is advocating for a solution that denies sex workers’ rights and/or could endanger them. We would recommend against signing this petition.
Add a personal note
Make sure to write custom text in your online petition or form letter about why this issue matters to you or impacts you directly - it will be more impactful when your representative’s office (or another decision-maker) receives it.
Meet with decision-makers in person
When you decide to become more invested in a particular issue, one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard is by meeting with decision-makers in person. While you may not always be able to meet with corporate executives or public figures, you do have the right to access your publicly elected officials. For example, you can meet your representatives at their office(s), through virtual meetings, at a town hall or other public event, and on the campaign trail. Learn more in our How To Contact Your Reps post.
Get involved and stay involved
For petitions to be effective, they must be combined with other forms of activism and action that deepen your engagement and help bring about long-term change.
Sign-up for action alerts
When signing the petition of a trusted organization, look on their website for additional calls to action and opportunities to volunteer in support of the issue. Sign up for action alerts so you never miss a new opportunity.
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Activism doesn’t always have to involve impassioned protest, but it can be more than signing an online petition. We present a range of actions that empower you to help in ways that are right for you. When you subscribe, you’ll receive newsletters delivered to your inbox every Tuesday. And, your subscription is your donation - it helps us continue doing this work and bring everyday activism to more people.
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Everyday Activism Network is a one-stop-shop where you can learn about and take action on a variety of social justice issues and causes. Each week, we publish new posts designed to support your everyday activism.
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Originally published September 14, 2021.
Posts identify both fast actions that you can take in under five minutes and more time-intensive actions that deepen your engagement. Our fast actions tend to be time-bound, as a result, some posts in the archive may contain expired links. Not to fret, we also recommend anytime actions that never go out of date.