Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024
(a) A petition signature shall be included in
a raw count and the signature shall be subject to signature verification if:
(1) If two signers of a petition occupy the
same signature box, but only one residence address is listed, only the
signature of the person who handwrote the residence address shall be subject to
verification. However, if the signer's registration was electronic or typed,
and there is no handwriting to compare, only the first name in the signature
box shall be subject to verification.
(2) If a signer of a petition prints MR. AND
MRS. SMITH and signs Mr. & Mrs. Smith, or uses a nickname, initials,
prefixes, maiden name, married name, spouse's name or a misspelling, but only
when it appears to have been made by the same person with a similar signature
and correct residence address.
(b) A petition signature shall be included in
a raw count, but the signature shall not be subject to signature verification
if:
(1) The signer prints their name and
residence address but leaves the signature space blank. However, if the
signature on the voter's registration record is printed and is similar to the
printed name on the petition, the signature shall be subject to signature
verification.
(2) If a line appears
through a signature, name, or address, but not all three, the elections
official shall have the discretion to determine whether or not there is
sufficient information present to subject the signature to the verification
process.
(3) The signer does not
provide a written or printed name and the signer cannot be
identified.
(c) A
petition signature shall not be included in a raw count and the signature shall
not be subject to signature verification if:
(1) A line appears through the name, address,
and signature of the signer.
(2)
Correction tape or correction fluid is used to cross out the signer's
information and new information is written on top of or around it.
(3) No signatures or identifying information
appears in the signer spaces, but one or more signatures appear in the
completed declaration of circulator.
(4) Signatures are appended to the petition
section so as to appear after the declaration of
circulator.
1. New article 3 (sections 20930-20931) and section filed 3-15-2022; operative 3-15-2022 (Register 2022, No. 11).
Note: Authority cited: Section 12172.5, Government Code. Reference: Sections 100, 104, 105, 2102, 2150, 9020 and 9022, Elections Code; and Section 12172.5, Government Code.
