Page 22 - Special District Handbook with Cover-Final

After the random sampling is completed, can a 100%

verification be done?

• Yes. If the random sampling shows that the number of valid signatures is within 95% to 110% of the number of signatures needed, the district elections official must examine and verify each signature filed. Elec. Code § 9309

• Additional time is allowed for the 100% signature verification after the random sampling has been conducted . The district elections official must, within 60 days from the date of the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, examine and verify each signature filed.

Elec. Code § 9309

What happens if the random sampling determines that the number of valid signatures is less than 95% of the number of

signatures needed?

• The district elections official shall certify the petition to be insufficient.

Elec. Code § 9309

• If the petition is found insufficient, no action shall be taken on the petition. However, the failure to secure sufficient signatures shall not preclude the later filing of an entirely new petition to the same effect. Elec. Code § 9309

What happens if the random sampling determines that the number of valid signatures is over 110% of the number of

signatures needed?

• The petition is considered qualified without further verification, and the district elections official must certify the results of the examination to the governing

board of the district at its next regular meeting. Elec. Code § 9308, 9309

Deadline for Verifying Signatures

The district elections official has 30 days from the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, to verify the signatures unless after a random sampling has been conducted, the district elections official must examine and verify each signature. Then, the district elections official has 60 days from the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and

holidays, to verify each signature filed.

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