Florida county government officials, upset with the environmental and health toll they claim phosphate mining has on the area, are using the county Web site to collect signatures from citizens who are against mining. Although online petitions have been a staple among advocacy groups such as student and neighborhood associations, a government soliciting online signatures is notable, according to several experts in electronic democracy. He says most similar cases he s heard about are outside the United States. The petitioners are urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct an environmental impact study on phosphate mining. Petitioners must submit their name, e-mail address, home address, city, state and zip code.
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When the petition is signed, e-mail letters are automatically generated and sent to 14 individuals, including Gov. Jeb Bush, both U.S senators and two House representatives, as well as other federal, state and county officials. You ve got this technology right at your hands. Putting it to good use, that s the beauty of it. She inputs those names and information electronically. She said she hasn t heard yet from any of the officials receiving the e-mailed petitions.