This dog will hunt

Signature gatherers have been working at Department of Motor Vehicles offices for more than a year to get signatures on pro-gun petitions (“Still petitioning,” RN&R, Sept. 28, 2017). The petitions don’t do anything. They are not initiative or referendum petitions, just general, non-binding pro-guns petitions, which has led to speculation of what the purpose is. After observing them at the Carson City office, we believe this is what is happening:

Though they initially keep voter registration materials out of sight, the signature gatherers are also deputy voter registrars. When people leave the DMV building, they are asked, “Would you like to sign a petition to secure your Second Amendment rights?” The answer determines the political leanings of the citizens. If they say yes, then they are asked if they want to register to vote. If they say no, they are allowed to go on their way without that second question.

This is called bird dogging. It’s legal, and has been used by both Republican and Democratic precinct walkers, who learn the political stances of residents by walking door to door. After they identify some people as friendly to their candidates or party, they pass those addresses along to voter registrars, who then return to register those people. The DMV tactic allows that identification to take place quickly so no two-step procedure is necessary. The gatherers we spoke with declined to confirm the practice.