How can you check to see what your signature is like on file at the voter office?

[theophilus]

I have signed my name many ways over the years. I am a Jr. and sometimes I used the Jr. and sometimes I didn't. I also have initials that I sometimes include. I have a feeling that if I fill out an absentee ballot and don't sign it like the on file signature my red state will toss it.

What can I do?

Thanks.

[LisaL]

1. Look at your driver's license.

What board of elections usually have are your DMV records. How did you sign on your license?
"When the election worker receives your mail-in ballot, they match the signature on it with a signature on file, which is usually pulled from DMV records. At the DMV, you almost always write your signature using a pen stylus on a screen."
https://www.fastcompany.com/90534923/voting-by-mail-is-secure-but-it-has-a-seriously-low-tech-downside-your-signature

[Lars39]

3. Mine always looks like a 3rd grader who just learned cursive.

[LisaL]

5. Then sign it the same way on your ballot.

[theophilus]

7. That makes sense. Thanks. n/t

[hlthe2b]

15. Umm. I don't think so. I KNOW for a fact that Colorado uses the voter registration signature card

you are required to complete--even if you are allowed the opportunity at the DMV while getting your driver's license for the first time. For many that signature will be nearly identical to your driver's license, but if you completed the card separate from your licensure from a separate submitted request and perhaps months or years later, it might not.

[wishstar]

22. Good advice, esp. for someone like me who has all my old dr. licenses tucked away

I will go back to closest dr license to when I first registered and make sure my signature will match. Spouse has very distinctive unmistakeable signature but mine and my handwriting is very changeable and erratic.

[mantis49]

23. Not in IL.

It's how you signed it on voter registration at your local board of elections.

[soothsayer]

2. What state?

[theophilus]

6. Arkansas n/t

[soothsayer]

10. Probably the county clerk, but you can vote early in person!

Unless you can’t, of course.

EARLY VOTING

Depending on the type of election being conducted, you may early vote during the 7 or 15 days prior to Election Day. In most counties, early voting is conducted at the county clerk’s office. In counties with off-site early voting (a location other than the county clerk’s office), local newspapers will publish the designated sites.

Click here for more information.

https://justfacts.votesmart.org/elections/voter-registration/AR

[LizBeth]

4. I was just talking about this elsewhere. I have two signatures so a consideration. Next week I am

going to call election Dept. I called them to fill out the registration form and the woman walked me thru, very helpful, stayed on the phone with me. I am thinking she can just look at my signature and let me know which I used. I hear ya...

[LisaL]

8. Yea, you can always ask and see if they answer.

The signature they have on file is likely from your DMV records. But if you didn't sign those consistently over the years, which year did they have on file?

[theophilus]

9. Thanks! n/t

[Keth]

11. This is so crazy

that in 2020, the United States of America has to be concerned about fair elections and making sure everyone's vote counts. I've never voted absentee, so I'm assuming the signature is separate from the ballot so the folk(s) verifying can't see who the person voted for or their party registration. I guess it depends on the state.

[hlthe2b]

12. My offical signature includes a middle initial & some post-nominal letters but my ballot has middle

name included, which I NEVER use. So, not knowing, I sign the line on the outside of the ballot envelope with my middle name and then directly below it, the official signature I use for legal documents and all other purposes.

I have shown my sealed ballot with the two signatures on the envelope to the county voting official, who said it was fine to do. (No restriction on how many times you can sign, just that you do so in a way that is compatible with your on file signature). She also said that they were not necessarily looking at the issues I described (i.e., "how you signed" ), but only whether or not the handwriting seems consistent.

So, that is what I have been told for Colorado, at least.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

13. You can update your signature w election office.

At least in Florida this is done

[FM123]

14. Excellent advice, to check one's signature.

Last March in California, 27,525 ballots were thrown out either because they didn’t have a signature, or the signature didn’t match the one on record for the voter.

https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2020/07/13/mail-in-votes-uncounted-californias-primary/

[LisaL]

16. Mine should be fine.

My primary ballot was recently accepted. So I am assuming they decided the signatures match. I looked at my driver's license before signing the primary ballot.

[Chainfire]

17. Do they approve the signature while you are standing at the table?

If so, get a provisional ballot, and raise hell at the supervisor of elections later.

[bullimiami]

18. doesnt anyone else think its wrong

that the security and verification of our vote still relies on our signature?

[LisaL]

20. Yes, I think it's wrong.

Especially considering signature could change with time, or people don't have a consistent signature. And whoever is matching your signature is not an expert, but a regular election worker.

[stopdiggin]

19. a properly completed and returned

absentee (or vote by mail) ballot is probably not going to be invalidated over a sloppy signature. If you think this is something you should double check before hand -- the County Clerk's office is the place to start in finding out how that can be done.

[rownesheck]

21. The poll workers

always give me shite every time I vote because I use the shortened form of my name instead of the long, official version. For example, John instead of Johnathon. They always say "I have to make a note of that." That makes me think my vote is not being counted. As if I'm gonna vote illegally using the short version of a name.

[csziggy]

24. Here in Florida you send in a voter registration form with your current signature

There is a place to mark that this is a "Record Update/Change (i.e., Address, Party Affliliation, Name, Signature): https://www.leonvotes.gov/Portals/Leon/Documents/Voter%20Registration/dsde39_form.pdf

Signature Update

Your signature is an important part of your voter registration record. Your signature is used to verify your identify on petitions, Vote-by-Mail ballot certificates, and other documents. If your signature has changed over time, you can update your signature on file with our office by filing out, signing, and submitting a Florida Voter Registration Application to our office at any point before we receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot. We can accept these signature updates via mail, email, or fax.
https://www.leonvotes.gov/update

Check with your local voting officials.