Signature Collection Highlights Campaign’s Large Volunteer Base and Data-Driven Methodology
WASHINGTON, D.C.— At-Large D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman, a two-term incumbent who is running for re-election, today filed the required number of signatures of registered voters with the D.C. Board of Elections to qualify for the November 8 general election ballot.
Silverman’s campaign collected 4,047 signatures on 455 petition sheets circulated by 87 campaign volunteers and staff. The minimum number required to qualify for the ballot is 3,000 registered voters.
Silverman said her campaign verified that at least 80 percent of the signatures collected were from qualified registered voters. Using computer-assisted technology and a database built from the public voter file, campaign volunteers checked each signature on the 455 sheets submitted to verify that signers were registered voters.
“I have a large and energetic citywide base of volunteers, who are excited to help me get back on the ballot and continue my work to hold the D.C. government accountable to its residents,” Silverman said. “In contrast to other campaigns who pay for signature collection, I collaborate with campaign volunteers to help me engage voters and collect petition signatures. They are my best validators and ambassadors. I want to thank all my great volunteer circulators, as well as the D.C. voters who signed our petitions to put me back on the ballot.”
The verification system yielded the following data:
4,047 total signatures on 455 petition sheets from across all 8 wards
3,212 matches of registered voters whose listed address was on file with the D.C. Board of Elections
87 petition circulators
“I’m looking forward to the next phase of the campaign–knocking on doors, attending house parties/meet and greets, and speaking with voters at forums and other community events,” Silverman said. “As is shown with my approach to petitions, I will continue to bring a clear focus on outcomes, accountability and data-driven analysis to District government, and I will never lose touch with the campaign volunteers and voters who have sent me to the D.C. Council.”
