California opens investigation after San Francisco video appears to show paid, false ballot petition signatures

Video sparks statewide probe into signature-gathering practices

California election officials have opened an investigation after a video recorded in San Francisco appeared to show petition circulators offering cash in exchange for signatures on ballot initiative petitions, while also directing people to use voter information that did not belong to them.

The video, posted online and widely shared, was filmed near the intersection of 6th and Mission streets. In the recording, individuals portrayed as paid signature collectors appear to offer $5 to people who sign petition forms. The footage also appears to show names and addresses already printed or otherwise provided to would-be signers, raising concerns that voter registration data was being used to complete petitions with false information.

Initiatives identified; campaigns move to disavow circulators

Three separate initiative campaigns acknowledged that their petitions were among those being carried by the circulators shown in the video. Two of the initiatives are part of an effort opposing a proposed wealth tax on billionaires and include measures framed around invalidating the tax and imposing audit and transparency requirements. A third petition referenced in the reporting supports the Retirement and Personal Savings Protection Act of 2026.

Representatives for the campaigns said the circulators depicted were not directly affiliated with the campaigns and were instead hired through signature-gathering firms. The campaigns said they were seeking to identify the specific circulators involved and to reject any petition sheets associated with them, while also notifying authorities.

What California law prohibits during the petition process

California’s elections rules prohibit offering money or anything of value in exchange for an individual’s signature on an initiative petition. Separately, it is unlawful to sign another person’s name or to provide false information on a petition. State guidance also warns that circulating, signing, or filing petitions known to contain forged names can constitute a criminal offense.

Why the video matters for how initiatives qualify

Ballot initiatives rely on large-scale signature drives, frequently using paid gathering operations. The petition process depends on signatures being collected from eligible voters and completed accurately, because county election officials must verify signatures against voter registration records before initiatives can qualify.

The investigation is expected to focus on several unresolved questions raised by the video, including how the circulators obtained voter information and whether any petition sheets connected to the incident were submitted for verification.

• Location shown in video: 6th and Mission streets, San Francisco
• Allegation depicted: cash offered for signatures and use of other people’s voter information
• State response: an investigation by California election authorities is underway

Anyone with information about petition or election fraud can report it to state election investigators or their county elections office.

As of March 11, 2026, no public finding has been issued establishing whether criminal violations occurred, and election officials have not announced whether any individuals have been identified or cited.