Bill > SB3

This bill enhances signature verification procedures for vote-by-mail ballots in California by establishing more detailed and protective guidelines for elections officials. Specifically, when comparing signatures on ballot envelopes, officials are now prohibited from considering a voter's identifying information like gender, name, or address, and cannot factor in the amount of time spent reviewing a signature. The bill requires elections officials to notify voters when their signatures do not initially match those in their registration records and provides multiple ways for voters to verify or correct their signatures, including working with non-governmental entities. Elections officials must now post updated election results at least twice by the Thursday following an election and twice weekly thereafter, with more specific requirements about how and where these updates are displayed. The bill also expands the rights of vote-by-mail ballot observers, allowing them to observe and challenge signature verification procedures more comprehensively. Additionally, the Secretary of State must publish a standardized signature verification form, and elections officials can only accept forms developed by official government sources. The legislation aims to make the vote-by-mail ballot verification process more transparent, accessible, and standardized while protecting voter privacy and providing multiple opportunities for voters to ensure their ballots are counted.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB3