You asked: Is petitioning allowed on TriMet?

Apr 25, 2016

With elections coming up and ballot deadlines approaching, you may have been stopped by folks collecting signatures during your commute. We’ve been asked more often lately: Are people allowed to gather signatures on board or at the station?

The answer, generally, is yes. Canvassing and petitioning are constitutionally protected activities under the First Amendment, and are therefore legally permitted on TriMet property. Of course, this doesn’t give anyone license to act disruptively or dangerously — if you ever feel unsafe, let your operator know or call the police.

And if you’re feeling like this election season can’t end soon enough, think of petitioners on transit like that one friend’s political posts in your Facebook feed. (If you can’t relate, you are that friend — it’s OK.) Just like it’s best if you scroll right past those, feel free to pass on a petition you don’t feel like signing in real life.

Brian Lum

Brian Lum

Web & Social Media Coordinator

I'm here to help tell our story, and to share the interesting things I find along the way. When I'm not here, you'll find me out riding my bike and taking pictures.

lumb@trimet.org | All posts

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