Petitions have an almost negligible effect on politics, unless they are obtained door-to-door and have real signatures. Web polls, email trees, form letter emails, etc., have practically no effect at all. In order of effectiveness:
1. In-person visit from a voting constituent.
2. Letter sent by the writer, via USPS or other physical means.
3. Phone calls.
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4. Emails
5. Online Petitions, form letters, postpaid cards, etc.
Of course, if #1 is done by someone who contributes large sums of money to that legislator's campaign, the effectiveness goes up in proportion to the amount of money. };->
