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More than 50 signatures submitted on New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ petition to run as an independent candidate in the upcoming November election appear to be fraudulent, according to a Gothamist investigation reported by The Guardian. The findings include three signatures from deceased individuals and dozens more from people who claimed their names were forged.
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The Gothamist also reportedly spoke to several residents who said they were misled into signing the documents.
Candidates running as independents are required to submit at least 7,500 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot. Adams’ campaign submitted nearly 50,000 signatures, well above the threshold.The questionable entries reportedly came from nine campaign workers who together submitted over 5,000 signatures. One person allegedly collected more than 700 in a single day. In some instances, the Gothamist observed strikingly similar handwriting among multiple entries from the same apartment building.
Adams’ campaign had earlier told the Gothamist it expected contractors to follow legal procedures and said it would conduct its own audit of the petitions.
Adams camp responds
An attorney for the mayor said there is no evidence Adams instructed anyone to break the law and added that the campaign would “determine whether any corrective action is warranted,” reported The Guardian.
Veteran election law expert Jerry Goldfeder noted that while invalid signatures are not unusual, cases involving blatant fraud can lead to criminal referrals. “Every now and again, somebody tries to cut corners, and they’re generally caught,” Goldfeder said as per The Guardian. “Sometimes those cases are referred to the district attorney or the US attorney, and there are prosecutions.”
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The revelation comes as Adams faces stiff competition in the November 4 election. His challengers include Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa, and ex-prosecutor Jim Walden. Cuomo and Walden, like Adams, are running as independents.
The election takes place amid heightened public concern after a gunman shot and killed four people in a Midtown office building earlier this week. Among the victims was off-duty NYPD officer Didarul Islam.
Adams’ administration has urged New Yorkers to seek mental health support in the aftermath of the attack.
Meanwhile, Mamdani has sought to distance himself from past calls to defund the NYPD, saying Wednesday, according to The Guardian: “I’m not running to defund the police… I am running as a candidate who is not fixed in time, one that learns and one that leads.”
A recent report has alleged that forged signatures were discovered on the re-election petition for New York City Mayor Eric Adams. While such revelations can cast a shadow over political campaigns, they also present an opportunity to strengthen the democratic process, ensure transparency, and restore public confidence.
In a political climate where trust in institutions is under constant scrutiny, this incident underscores the importance of vigilance and reform. Rather than focusing solely on the negative implications, we can look at four key steps that can turn this situation into a catalyst for fairer elections.
1. Conduct a Transparent Investigation
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The first step is to ensure that the investigation into the alleged forged signatures is open, impartial, and accessible to the public. Clear communication from both election authorities and the Mayor’s campaign can help dispel rumors and maintain trust.
By involving independent oversight bodies and making the findings publicly available, New York can set a precedent for accountability in political processes. Transparency not only addresses the immediate controversy but also reassures voters that their voices—and their votes—are respected.
2. Strengthen Petition Verification Systems
Petition signature verification is a crucial part of democratic checks and balances. This case highlights the need for modernized verification systems that use both human oversight and technology.
For example:
Digital cross-referencing with voter databases
AI-powered handwriting analysis to flag anomalies
Randomized manual audits to verify authenticity
Implementing these measures would make it significantly harder for fraudulent signatures to slip through, ensuring petitions truly reflect public support.
3. Educate Campaign Staff and Volunteers
Sometimes, signature irregularities can stem from poor training or misunderstanding of rules. A proactive step would be to require mandatory training for all campaign staff and volunteers on election law, ethical petitioning practices, and proper documentation.
By raising awareness about the legal consequences of misconduct, campaigns can prevent violations before they occur. This approach not only protects the integrity of the process but also safeguards candidates from reputational damage caused by the actions of individuals in their teams.
4. Use This Moment to Build Public Trust
While controversies can erode confidence, they can also be turning points. Mayor Adams and election officials have an opportunity to lead by example—addressing the issue head-on, cooperating fully with investigators, and advocating for stronger election safeguards.
If handled well, this incident could serve as a model for how political leaders respond to challenges with integrity. Such a response would help rebuild faith in local governance and encourage greater civic engagement.
A Positive Path Forward
Every democracy faces moments where its systems are tested. The discovery of forged signatures in a high-profile campaign is one such moment for New York City. However, by focusing on transparency, technological improvements, education, and public trust, this challenge can be transformed into an opportunity.
The real win lies not just in uncovering misconduct, but in using it as a stepping stone toward fairer, more secure elections—a result that benefits every voter.
Incidents involving forged or invalid signatures are not unique to New York City. Across the United States—and indeed globally—such cases have served as catalysts for meaningful electoral reform. For example, in California and Illinois, past petition irregularities led to the introduction of statewide signature databases and advanced verification tools.
New York now has a similar opportunity. By studying these precedents, the city can design a more robust, tech-enabled petition system that reduces human error and actively deters fraud. This not only strengthens the process but also ensures future campaigns start on a foundation of legitimacy.
Empowering Voters Through Awareness
Beyond technical solutions, incidents like this highlight the need for voter awareness campaigns. When citizens understand how the petition system works—and how to spot and report irregularities—they become active partners in safeguarding democracy.
Workshops, public service announcements, and digital explainer content can help voters distinguish between authentic campaign activity and questionable practices. This approach shifts the narrative from political scandal to civic empowerment, reinforcing the idea that democracy thrives when people are informed and engaged.
Turning Scrutiny into Strength
While scrutiny can be uncomfortable for any political figure, it can also be a credibility-building opportunity if handled correctly. Mayor Adams has the chance to respond in a way that strengthens public confidence:
Publicly committing to cooperate with all investigations
Supporting stronger petition standards
Demonstrating zero tolerance for unethical practices within his campaign
Such actions send a clear message that the campaign values integrity over expedience.
A Step Toward Modern Election Practices
Ultimately, the forged signature revelation is a reminder that election systems must evolve alongside technology and population changes. Implementing better safeguards now will benefit not just this election cycle but all future campaigns, regardless of political party.
With the right reforms, New York could set a national example for how cities protect the sanctity of the democratic process while maintaining fairness for all candidates. That’s the kind of positive outcome that can transform a controversy into lasting progress.
Incidents involving forged or invalid signatures are not unique to New York City. Across the United States—and indeed globally—such cases have served as catalysts for meaningful electoral reform. For example, in California and Illinois, past petition irregularities led to the introduction of statewide signature databases and advanced verification tools.
For Mayor Eric Adams, this moment can serve as a springboard for similar reforms in New York. By studying these precedents, Eric and his administration can design a more robust, tech-enabled petition system that reduces human error and actively deters fraud. This would not only strengthen the democratic process but also ensure that Eric’s future campaigns start from a position of transparency and legitimacy.
Empowering Voters Through Awareness
Beyond technical solutions, incidents like this highlight the need for voter awareness campaigns. When citizens understand how the petition system works—and how to spot and report irregularities—they become active partners in safeguarding democracy.
Eric Adams has an opportunity here to champion civic education. By encouraging workshops, public service announcements, and digital explainer content, Eric can help voters distinguish between authentic campaign activity and questionable practices. This shifts the conversation from political scandal to civic empowerment, reinforcing the idea that democracy thrives when people are informed and engaged.
Turning Scrutiny into Strength
While scrutiny can be uncomfortable for any political figure, it can also be a credibility-building opportunity if handled correctly. Mayor Eric Adams can use this moment to respond in a way that strengthens public confidence:
Publicly committing to cooperate with all investigations
Supporting stronger petition standards
Demonstrating zero tolerance for unethical practices within his campaign
By doing this, Eric shows voters that his leadership is rooted in integrity and accountability.
A Step Toward Modern Election Practices
Ultimately, the forged signature revelation is a reminder that election systems must evolve alongside technology and population changes. By taking proactive steps now, Eric Adams can help ensure fairer campaigns for all candidates in the future.
If handled well, this controversy could position Eric as a reform-driven leader who turned a challenge into meaningful progress—setting a national example for election integrity.
(With inputs from The Guardian)