How States Verify Voted Absentee/Mail Ballots Stateĭoes the State Require Signature Verification?Īre Notary or Witness Signatures Required?ĭetails on How Absentee/Mail Ballots Are Verified That information is not included in the table below. Note: The federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) places additional identification requirements on first-time voters who registered by mail. States also verify absentee ballot applications see Table 8: How States Verify Absentee Ballot Applications for further details. Note: Minnesota and Ohio also require this information, though Minnesota also requires a witness signature, and Ohio conducts signature verification. And Georgia requires the voter’s driver’s license number or state identification card number, which is compared with the voter’s registration record. Three states require the absentee/mail ballot envelope to be notarized:Īrkansas requires a copy of the voter’s ID to be returned with the absentee/mail ballot. Alabama (two witnesses or a notary), Alaska (witness or notary), Louisiana, Minnesota (witness or notary), North Carolina (two witnesses or a notary), Rhode Island (two witnesses or a notary), South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin.These states may conduct signature verification as well: Nine states require the signature of a witness in addition to the voter’s signature. Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Kansas, Maryland, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wyoming.Nine states, the Virgin Islands and Washington, D.C., verify that an absentee/mail ballot envelope has been signed but do not conduct signature verification: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington and West Virginia.Twenty-seven states conduct signature verification on returned absentee/mail ballots: Some states have other methods for verifying absentee/mail ballots, such as requiring voters to provide a copy of an identification document or to have the absentee/mail ballot witnessed or notarized. See Table 15: States with Signature Cure Processes for more details. The election official will contact the voter explaining the problem and asking them to verify their information and that that they did in fact cast the ballot. If a ballot is missing a signature or the signature does not match the one on file, some states offer voters the opportunity to “cure” their ballots. When the ballot is returned to the election office, election officials have a process for examining each and every signature and comparing it to other documents in their files that contain the voter signature-usually the voter registration record. When voters return an absentee/mail ballot, they must sign an affidavit on the ballot envelope. Certain restrictions apply, so review the guidelines to make sure your mailpiece is eligible.The most common method to verify that absentee/mail ballots come from the intended voter is to conduct signature verification. USPS Marketing Mail is ideal for sending political postcards, printed flyers, advertisements, or newsletters. Learn More about First-Class Mail USPS Marketing Mail Pay one price for up to 3.5 ounces on presort or automated Commercial First-Class Mail letters and cards. Use First-Class Mail ® service for things like personalized letters, fundraising invitations, or any communications with a personal touch. Launch EDDM Learn More about EDDM First-Class Mail
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