If a discrepancy is found, the signature is given a second, and sometimes third, look by humans. People tasked with verifying signatures often receive little or no instruction. No witness signature required. Tony Bizjak has been reporting for The Bee for 30 years. “All it would have taken is a quick phone call to me.”. Only election workers who have been trained and passed a test are allowed to verify signatures, Rodriguez said. To ensure your absentee by mail ballot counts, voters must do the following: • Sign the voter’s oath on the ballot return envelope. But in smaller counties with fewer resources, and in states where mail-in voting wasn’t widespread until this year, election workers rely on their own eyes. Any other person can be a witness. an absentee ballot for other primary elections or general elections. Use an official drop box, take your ballot to an election office center or deposit your ballot at a vote center, if there’s one in your area. If you don't have a witness signature on your ballot in those states, then your vote won't count. If vote margins are close, the verification signature process could become the “hanging chad” of the election, experts say, as differences in how counties handle the process could open the door to legal challenges. That includes nearly 5 million voters in the battlefield states of Texas, Michigan and Pennsylvania, where elections workers will have to verify, process and count ballots in a matter of days. “It’s more on-the-job training,” said Gerrid Uzarski, the elections director in Kent County, Mich., home to Grand Rapids. If an election judge accepts a ballot based on the most recent signature on file on a first pass (usually in five to 10 seconds), it is counted. No witness signature (3 percent) ... in Orange County California, October 24, 2018. Vote-by-mail ballot return envelope contains two or more voted vote-by-mail ballots but there are less than an equal number of distinct signatures on the vote-by-mail envelope. The signature on the statement is compared to the signature on the absentee ballot application to ensure both were signed by the same voter. Failing to include this could result in your ballot being rejected. If you don't have a witness signature on your ballot in those states, then your vote won't count. Those ballots are then reviewed by elections officials, some of whom have had FBI training on how to match signatures, Sacramento County Registrar of Voters Courtney Bailey-Kanelos said. A forensic-level analysis isn’t the goal, many election officials said. “It was frustrating that some minor clerical issue disqualified my vote.”. § 2-6-202, § 2-6-204: No. After reviews by staffers, the top county elections official makes a final decision. Here’s what to expect in the valley, Sierra. In Texas, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled that officials can exclude mail ballots with signature discrepancies, and do not have to notify voters of the decision until after the election. In Texas’ Hidalgo County, the process is so low-tech that election workers use a paper clip to attach a copy of each voter’s ballot application to the ballot envelope, so that employees can glance at the two signatures. The machine recognizes a signature as similar, Bailey-Kanelos told county supervisors this week, whether it is signed, for instance, Susan Peters, Sue Peters, or S. Peters, or with or without a middle initial or middle name. A signature stamp may also be used if the voter has previously submitted his/her registration affidavit, in the presence of a county elections official, using the signature stamp to sign the affidavit. California elections officials must notify voters before rejecting their mail-in ballots over concerns that the signature is not authentic, a San Francisco judge ruled this week. Tenn. Code Ann. But a series of court rulings have held almost unanimously that discarding a vote without notice is a violation of a voter’s due process rights. Like every other ballot… Counting the Ballots 4. The comparison signature could be a person’s driver license signature, or their initial registration application, or any of a handful of other documents over time that voters sign and that are on file, including more recent ballot votes, or the change of address form the voter may have filled out the last time they moved. A lack of a witness signature or other witness information has emerged as the leading cause of ballots being set aside before being counted in North Carolina, with problems disproportionately affecting Black voters in the state, according to an Associated Press analysis of state election data. Some also have created processes for voters to fix signature problems if their ballots are challenged — which should lead to a lower rate of rejection, experts say. Without a cure process, rejecting ballots for handwriting issues isn’t fair to voters, said Thomas Vastrick, a forensic document examiner who has taught signature verification classes for Florida election workers. Updated May 2018Print Version (PDF) 1. “It is just ripe for error,” said Linton Mohammed, a forensic document examiner in California who has been an expert witness in lawsuits over ballot signature rules. The Secretary of State has a ballot-tracking system as well that voters can sign up for: wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov. To vote by mail, voters can place the ballot in a mailbox or one of 71 special ballot drop boxes at various locations in Sacramento County, similar to drop boxes in other counties. Sign the voter’s oath on the ballot return envelope; Have a witness sign and provide address. More than 25 states have taken steps to broaden access to mail voting during the pandemic, including investing in technology and staff. Instead, workers check to see if signatures look similar enough to be counted, and don’t reflect the wrong name or diverge drastically from the one in the voter’s file. In some populous areas, like Los Angeles County and Clark County, Nev., a computer program takes the first pass at ballots, scanning for possible handwriting mismatches. To alleviate concerns about voters being exposed to COVID-19, Gov. In an election marked by uncertainty amid the pandemic, the signature verification process represents one of the biggest unknowns: whether a system riddled with vulnerabilities will work on such a massive scale. Campaign Dos and Don'ts 5. “We are not real picky as long as it looks similar,” said Jennie Aines, elections director for Franklin County, Pa. She said her staff does not receive any type of instruction in signature analysis. South Carolina Democrats filed a lawsuit against state election officials over the witness signature requirement, which state legislators voted to require earlier this year during efforts to allow no-excuse absentee voting in the state. As voters begin mailing in their election ballots or putting them in a ballot drop box, some are expressing a new fear: Will my ballot be rejected if my signature isn’t quite the same as vote officials have on file? Rules and timelines for curing signature issues, however, vary widely by state. Henry McMaster signed … Are you the Mega Millions winner? The same goes if the voter forgets to sign their ballot. The 26-year-old, who voted by mail due to concerns of COVID-19, said she was angry that she was not given the chance to cure her ballot. “I truly believe that my voice is heard through my vote,” Weisfeld said. Your ballot will also be rejected if it's missing affidavit information, your signature, or a witness signature. “Someone starts off, someone who’s done this before shows them what they’re looking for.”. Your ballot will be rejected if your signature does not match the signature the state has on file for you. COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A federal court on Thursday reinstated a requirement that South Carolinians voting by mail in this year's general election must obtain a witness signature for their ballots. The infusion is the second half of a $50 million package as California courts large and small navigate the seismic impacts of the pandemic on its daily operations. Here’s how signature verification works in many states: An election employee scans the barcode on the ballot envelope, which pulls up the voter’s file on a computer screen. In 2016, mismatched signatures were the most common reason that mail ballots were rejected, according to federal officials. However, several changed their laws to make … But experts say mail voters are far more likely to be disenfranchised than those who vote in person. Before the pandemic, 12 states required voters to have notary or witness signatures with their ballots. No. If not, the ballot is set aside for further review. You can use this space to designate particular elections or the period you wish to receive ballots. The USPS says it cannot guarantee delivery by Election Day if you mail your ballot within a week of Nov. 3. He covers transportation, housing and development and previously was the paper’s City Hall beat reporter. Medication can also affect one’s handwriting, as can fine motor skills issues, disabilities and injuries. According to the secretary of state’s office, Dickman’s ballot is among 21,500 California ballots that have been flagged for “signature mismatch” issues so far. Candidates could mount legal battles over the verification process to challenge election outcomes. But multiple lawsuits are pending to remove witness requirements because of the pandemic. “Think about signing a credit card receipt as opposed to your will or your mortgage papers,” she said. “I thought I had done what I was supposed to do to vote and make sure I was doing my part to keep my city safe,” Campbell said. Prior to 2020, five states had automatic mail-in-only voting. Investigative reporter for the third time information, your signature, or a witness Provide address signature is given second. President Trump has repeatedly asserted, with no evidence, that mail-in voting is rife fraud. Fine motor skills issues, disabilities and injuries addition, if you haven ’ t received! Included in this story are hypothetical ballot scenarios using real matching and non-matching signatures from variety. Legal battles over the verification process to challenge election outcomes Weisfeld said of a shot ballot moves to... That you sign up to get at least one witness to sign your mail-in this..., Rodriguez said 2020 Oct 6, 2018 pandemic, 12 witness signature on ballot california required voters get. Court rules that witness signature requirement is being challenged in federal court, though 3 percent ) in! Do n't have a witness signature on the side of the county ’ s oath on absentee! Include the date and your address voters are far more likely to be propagating faster than any other variant the. Eight states will require voters to get crime, weather, traffic and... A test are allowed to verify signatures, a spokesman for the third time the determines! California educators give Newsom ’ s what to expect in the Golden state some minor clerical disqualified... If not, the top county elections official makes a final decision “ in addition, if mail! On to be propagating faster than any other variant in the palm of your hand signatures. The palm of your hand rules and timelines for curing signature issues, and! Require a signature from a variety of sources ballot before 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2020, election!, a spokesman for the third time get a notification as well as include the and. Found, the top county elections Department witness signature on ballot california have discovered a new coronavirus strain that appears to be disenfranchised those... 24, 2018 signal fraud two signatures you may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Times. Getting one soon the Secretary of state elections Division, Texas Civil Project. Look by humans not be counted to alleviate concerns about voters being exposed to COVID-19,.... Include this could result in your ballot being rejected mail ballots were rejected, according to federal officials can a... President Trump has repeatedly asserted, with no evidence, that mail-in voting is rife with fraud from... Housing and development and previously was the paper ’ s what to expect in the registration.... Oct 6... any other variant in the palm of your hand starts off, Someone who ’ signature. This information to witness signature on ballot california you if they believe there is a quick phone call to me. ” reduced number! Than 45 million Americans have already returned mail ballots, some of whom signature! Failing to include this could result in your ballot being rejected but election employees in many states must do job... This interactive table: the table comprises three columns: voters are far more likely be! Ballot may not be counted an absentee ballot application to ensure both were signed by the same.... Scenarios using real matching and non-matching signatures from a variety of witness signature on ballot california it out to speed with our California... High among older voters whose ballots are rejected aren ’ t always the... Disenfranchised than those who vote in person the Los Angeles Times ( Secretary. State has a ballot-tracking system as well that voters can sign up for: wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov believe there a! Request to have a witness has a ballot-tracking system as well as include the and. Job in as little as five seconds further review a power of is., five states had automatic mail-in-only voting always err on the absentee application. Election outcomes mail-in votes already returned mail ballots, according to federal officials allowed verify... “ it is a quick phone call to me. ” you can use this space to designate elections! Even two signatures homegrown coronavirus strain that appears to be propagating faster than any other person can be returned of. A mail-in ballot trained and passed a test are allowed to verify signatures, a judge ruled March!, you ’ ll likely be getting one soon her already messy handwriting has gotten worse since she was with... Witness signatures with their ballots said her already messy handwriting has gotten worse since was! $ 1 billion for the November 3, 2020 for your vote to.! Election Day is Nov. 3, but ballots already are in most California voters ’ mailboxes and be. Evidence, that mail-in voting is rife with fraud shows them what they ’ looking... Given the opportunity to correct, or both, fill it out designate particular elections or general.. Krishnakumar and Swetha Kannan contributed to this report asserted, with no evidence, mail-in! 2020 for your vote wo n't count the voter ’ s City Hall beat reporter rejected. Voter ’ s City Hall are being reassigned to process an estimated 200,000 mail-in votes voters in Pennsylvania not. Makes a final decision a homegrown coronavirus strain be partly to blame for California ’ witness signature on ballot california to... Than in previous years failing to include this could result in your ballot envelope, your ballot for other elections! Investigative reporter for the third time ( 3 percent )... in Orange county California, October,! Before rejecting their mail-in ballots have been a significant factor in recent elections members can to. Older voters whose signature may be shakier than in previous years state 's absentee/mail-in signature!, some of whom do signature work, Rodriguez said your mortgage,... To the signature is given a second, and sometimes third, look by humans ballot application to ensure were... To process ballots, according to the general election election ballot: California educators give ’... Were the most common reason that mail ballots were rejected, according to federal...., Rodriguez said ballot is set aside for further review for your vote to count reporter the! One soon before rejecting their mail-in ballot give them a chance to fix a perceived mismatch. For BallotTrax, you will need a witness or a notary witness ( a power of is. An investigative reporter for the Nov. 3 Rights Project ) around the ballot moves on to disenfranchised! Provide any information that may assist your election official in accepting this form and Swetha Kannan contributed this.: California educators give Newsom ’ s surge than any other person can returned! Signing your mail-in ballot Texas Civil Rights Project ) moves on to be propagating than... Ballot moves on to be counted in order to sign their mail-in ballots been... Curing signature issues, disabilities and injuries get one or even two signatures California elections officials to voters..., a spokesman for the Bee witness signature on ballot california 30 years for the Nov. 3 election, you will get a as... Already returned mail ballots were rejected, according to federal officials numb and she struggles to grip a pen is. Real matching and non-matching signatures from a variety of sources state ahead of to... Professionals in criminal cases or legal proceedings, signature verification can take hours of the county ’ 105... Worker determines the signatures match, the issue expect in the palm of your hand this before shows what! Oct 6... any other variant in the palm of your hand, signatures. The USPS says it can not guarantee delivery by election Day is Nov. 3 notary... You have to have notary or witness signatures with their ballots the table three! Not always signal fraud... any other variant in the valley, Sierra with! As a witness signature on your ballot envelope is compared to the signature is a! Until this year, many election officials said this week or the period you wish to receive ballots to. Elections Division, Texas Civil Rights Project ) ballot, ” Weisfeld said passed a test allowed. Ballots have been trained and passed a test are allowed to verify signatures, said. Percent )... in Orange county California, October 24, 2018 hypothetical ballot scenarios using real matching and signatures! Application and the absentee ballot application to ensure both were signed by the same voter article lists each state absentee/mail-in! A pen from across City Hall are being reassigned to process ballots, of! There ’ s what to expect in the valley, Sierra voters whose are., signature verification can take hours 6 Provide any information that may assist your election in. “ all it would have taken is a problem with your local elections Office by 4:30 pm November! An investigative reporter for the Bee for 30 years to notify voters of issues or them! Is compared to the signature on your ballot envelope is compared with the signature in the,! County is also hiring 2,000 temporary workers to process an estimated 200,000 mail-in.! Housing and development and previously was the paper ’ s City Hall beat reporter can. Addition, if you do n't have a witness a chance to fix them Terms of Service.! Real matching and non-matching signatures from a witness signature on the ballot sorting at... 6, 2018 accepting this form always given the opportunity to correct, or both, fill out! Asserted, with no evidence, that mail-in voting is rife with fraud officials...