REFERENCE TITLE: elections; signature verification process

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

HCR 2028

Introduced by

Representatives Kolodin: McGarr;  Senator Rogers

A Concurrent Resolution

enacting and ordering the submission to the people of a measure relating to voter signature verification.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

1. Under the power of the referendum, as vested in the Legislature, the following measure, relating to voter signature verification, is enacted to become valid as a law if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor:

AN ACT

amending title 16, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 16-550.01; relating to voter signature verification.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 16, chapter 4, article 8, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 16-550.01, to read:

START_STATUTE16-550.01. Signature verification; procedures; exemption; intent; definitions

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 elector'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 elector's signature in the elector'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 elector'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 elector'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, including electronic signatures that use a typed font, shall be evaluated as prescribed by this section. 

F. A ballot affidavit is exempt from the signature verification process if the ballot affidavit contains a voter's mark and is accompanied by the signature of a voter assistant.

G. 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.

H. 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 elector's registration record. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Intent

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.

2. The Secretary of State shall submit this proposition to the voters at the next general election as provided by article IV, part 1, section 1, Constitution of Arizona.