How to create a simple online petition?

[wellbornSun]

My client already has hosting and domain name and wants to post a simple e-petition that automatically sends e-mails to city-council members and list the names of the petition signers on the site.

Does anyone know the quickest (without using petition sites), simplest solution to this problem?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Yeah, I know they are...well "I know", but the client wants it:)

[piatkow]

Automatically emailing multiple people who haven't opted in is spam. Your client must be made to understand the consequences both in terms of possible blacklisting and, depending on your jurisdiction, the legal implications.

[wellbornSun]

I researched e-petitions a little on google. How is sending e-mails to politicians / corporations spam? I've even weighed in on one for net neutrality before. Are you sure?

[uhwebs]

I know some activist sites do this... i've seen it. Don't know how though, or if it's legal.

[wellbornSun]

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System: The following 3 messages were spliced on to this thread from: http://www.webmasterworld.com/new_web_development/3652443.htm [webmasterworld.com] by engine - 8:20 am on May 17, 2008 (utc +1)

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My client already has hosting and domain name and wants to post a simple e-petition that automatically sends e-mails to city-council members and list the names of the petition signers on the site.

Does anyone know the quickest (without using petition sites), simplest solution to this problem?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[vincevincevince]

Drop by rentacoder...

[wellbornSun]

How about Drupal & civiCRM?

[piatkow]

How is sending e-mails to politicians / corporations spam?

Your post has recipients and number of emails both in the plural. Combined with an automated system that is definitely spamming.

[wellbornSun]

OK...you are right, that is spamming. So what I suggested to the client is to use Mailto: so that each person can send the petition through their own email client. Which, I think removes the spam issue. Now all I have to do is use a server-side app to print each person that sends the email name on the page. Any suggestions?