signature to petition by unlawful means.

Securing signature to petition by unlawful means consists of securing the signature of any person to any petition now or hereafter provided for by the laws of this state, by paying or promising to pay the signer anything of value, direct or indirect, or by securing such signature by force, threats or intimidation, or by forging or copying the names of any person to any such petition. Whoever commits securing signature to petition by unlawful means is guilty of a misdemeanor.