Signature Verification

Your Signature Matters

Your signature plays a vital role in your ability to vote, which is why it is so important to keep it updated. Things that can alter your signature include the surface you are signing on, types of pens, DOL electronic signature, age, medical conditions, as well as young voters who have not settled on a signature yet.

Staff members are required to receive signature verification training before they are allowed to verify signatures. Your ballot is only counted if the provided ballot declaration signature matches the signature(s) in your voter registration record. At each stage of the signature verification process, it is presumed that the signature on the ballot declaration is your signature. A ballot must be accepted unless the ballot declaration signature has multiple, significant, and obvious discrepancies from all signatures in your registration record. You will receive contact from our office if your ballot signature is missing or if it does not match what we have on file for you.

If the signature on the ballot declaration does not match the signature on your voter registration record, the following explains how you can correct this:

• Appear in person and sign a new voter registration form no later than 4:30 p.m. the day before certification of the primary or election.
• Sign a Signature Update Form , which includes both the ballot and the voter registration declarations. The form must be returned by mail, in person, or electronically and received no later than 4:30 p.m. the day before certification of the primary or election.
• Provide a valid secondary identity verification. Valid secondary identity verification may be:  
  • the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security Number;  
  • a full driver’s license, instruction permit, or state identification card number; 
  • an alternate ID other than a voter registration card that shows the name and address of the voter (Photo ID; Valid enrollment card of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Washington state; Copy of a current utility bill or bank statement;  Copy of a current government check;  Copy of a current paycheck; or Another government document. 
  • a multifactor authentication code the county auditor sends to the voter’s phone number or email address on record.

Voters may electronically submit signed ballot declarations, signature update forms, and voter registration forms – hard copies are not required.

If you neglect to sign the ballot declaration or you sign with a mark or signature stamp and fail to have two witnesses attest to the mark or signature stamp, you must either: 

• Appear in person and sign a Missing Signature Form no later than 4:30 p.m. the day before certification of the primary or election; or 
• Sign a Missing Signature Form or a copy of the ballot declaration, or mark the Missing Signature Form or declaration in front of two witnesses who attest to the mark made by the voter, and return it by mail or electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. the day before certification of the primary or election.  

Did you know you can update your signature at any time, and we will keep all signatures in your voter record? That means we would have more signatures to compare to your signed ballot. If you have multiple signatures you may use for different things, it may be a good idea to provide them to retain on your record. Contact our office if you have any questions about this process or for more information about voting / registration at (509) 545-3538.