ID H0290

Secretary of state must develop and provide county clerks with instructions and standards for verification, acceptance, and rejection of elector signatures for all processes requiring signature verification.

County clerks must verify absentee ballot signatures by confirming that the signature matches the voter's registration signature.

Absentee ballot affidavit envelopes, including signature acceptance or rejection indication, must be retained for two years instead of one year.

County clerks must examine initiative and referendum petitions and strike names where the name, address, or signature do not match those of a qualified elector of the proper jurisdiction.

Any signature that is not a physical signature, including electronic signatures, is void on initiative and referendum petitions.

The bill is declared an emergency and takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.