Petition signing is a rather forgotten part of the election process, but can also be one of the most important. If an individual is not well known, particularly a first-time runner for certain state positions, it can be difficult to get the signatures needed to put him or her on the ballot. Candidates are now collecting signatures for the April 24 primary ballot.

In Pennsylvania, presidential and U.S. Senatorial candidates require 2,000 signatures. State Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasurer need 1,000 signatures, with at least 100 in five different counties. Congressional candidates need 1,000 from the district in which they hope to run, and state senators and representatives need 500 and 300, respectively. The candidates only have three weeks to collect signatures, from January 24 to February 14.

"It's hard to get all those signatures so we ask that citizens do their civic duty and sign, if asked," said Upper Dublin Democratic Committee area leader Marjorie Berlinghof. "Signing for a candidate does not obligate someone to vote for that person. The process of obtaining signatures allows citizens their first contact with candidates for 2012 and the opportunity to voice opinions and get involved."

To achieve the dual goals of meeting the candidates and collecting signatures, both political parties are holding petition-signing events ahead of the February 14, 2012 deadline.

The UD Dems held buffet dinner  Wednesday February 8, from 6-8:30 at Operating Engineers 542 on Susquehanna Road in Dresher. Berlinghof says several candidates will be attended to discuss the issues, and says participants were able donate to any of the candidates. In addition, registered Democrats can call the UD Dems at 215-654-0431.

The Upper Dublin Republican Committee will be hosting its own eat-and-greet petition-signing event on Sunday, February 12th from 12-2:00 p.m. at Toner's in Fort Washington. In addition they can contact UDRC chairwoman Miriam Merry Woods at merrywoods860@comcast.net to find out about candidates and other ways to sign petitions.