16-550.01. Signature verification; procedures; exemption; intent; definitions

476 words·~2 min read·/az/title-16/16-550-01

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. Except for early ballots tabulated as prescribed in section 16-579.02, on receipt of the envelope containing the early ballot and the ballot affidavit, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall conduct signature verification as prescribed by this section.

B. The evaluator shall examine all the broad characteristics of the signature. If the broad characteristics of the signature on the ballot affidavit are clearly consistent with the broad characteristics of the voter's signature in the voter's registration record, the evaluator may accept the signature as valid.

C. If the evaluator finds discrepancies between the signature on the ballot affidavit and the voter's signature in the voter's registration record, the evaluator shall examine the local characteristics of the signature. If the local characteristics of the signature on the ballot affidavit are clearly consistent with the local characteristics of the voter's signature in the voter's registration record, the evaluator may accept the signature as valid.

D. If the evaluator finds a combination of broad and local characteristic differences between the signature on the ballot affidavit and the voter's signature in the voter's registration record, the evaluator shall denote the signature for a second review that shall be conducted by an evaluator using the same standards prescribed by this section.

E. Electronic signatures shall be evaluated as prescribed by this section, except that electronic signatures that use a typed font shall be rejected.

F. The legislature intends that the illustrations of broad and local characteristics in the 2020 secretary of state's signature verification guide be used as reference.

G. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Broad characteristics" means all of the following:

(a)The type of writing.

(b)The speed of writing.

(c)Overall spacing.

(d)Overall size and proportions.

(e)Position of the signature.

(f)Spelling and punctuation.

2. "Evaluator" means the individual who is designated by the county recorder or officer in charge of elections and who conducts signature verification.

3. "Local characteristics" means all of the following:

(a)Internal spacing.

(b)The size or proportions of a letter or letter combination.

(c)Curves, loops and cross points.

(d)The presence or absence of pen lifts.

(e)Beginning and ending strokes.

4. "Signature verification" means the process of manually comparing the signature on a voter's affidavit envelope or ballot affidavit with the voter's signature in the voter's registration record.

H. The legislature intends by this section to codify procedures based on the 2020 secretary of state signature verification guide, provided that in the event of any conflict between the guide and this section, this section controls. This section is not intended to modify the grounds on which a party-appointed challenger may challenge an early ballot. This section does not require signature evaluators to examine broad or local characteristics one at a time. This section is not intended to require an exact match.