Solano County issues warning about misleading political petitions

Reports are flowing in about misleading campaigns involving a large-scale development project in a rural part of the region.

(Stock image; Graphic by Solano NewsNet)

The Solano County Registrar of Voters has issued a warning to voters about erroneous petitions that are circulating related to an initiative to rezone and develop a rural part of the region.

In a statement on Thursday, election officials said their office has received numerous reports of “voters being misinformed by circulators collecting signatures” with incorrect claims that the initiative is to stop the re-zoning of rural Solano County between Fairfield and Rio Vista, better known as the “California Forever” project.

The misinformation claims that the petition is intended to stop the project, when it is actually in support of it, officials said.

Earlier this week, long-time readers of Solano NewsNet said they were stopped by campaigners who asked them to sign petitions for a wide variety of initiatives — from supporting financial literacy initiatives to health care reform — only to find that the petition was actually in support of California Forever upon closer inspection.

It was not clear if the campaigners were actually linked to California Forever. An email sent to an address for press inquiries has not been returned as of Thursday afternoon.

Tim Flanagan, the Chief Information Officer and Registrar of Voters, said only one petition has been approved by Solano County related to California Forever: One in support of the project.

“Anyone who signed a petition and wishes to withdraw their signature may do so by contacting our office,” Flanagan said. “The freedom to petition your government through the initiative process is central to our democracy. We strongly encourage voters to carefully read petitions before signing them to ensure they are acting on their convictions instead of misinformation.”

Voters who believe they signed a petition in error can withdraw their signature by filling out this form, then submitting it to the Solano County Registrar of Voters. Citizens can also contact the Registrar of Voters by calling (888) 993-8683. The phone line is staffed weekdays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Do you have more information about the California Forever project? Email your tips to newsdesk@solanonews.net, or call/text 707-507-6397.

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