Signature Gathering and Verification Amendments

Statewide initiative signature sheets must now include a question asking whether the signer has contacted their state senator or representative regarding the law the initiative proposes to enact, with a prompt to identify the person contacted if the answer is yes. The same question is added as a required screen in the electronic initiative process.

New Section 20A-1-1003 establishes a general framework for signature removal from any petition, specifying what information must be included in a removal statement, prohibiting electronic submission of removal statements (with exceptions), and providing procedures for clerks to verify whether a signature should be removed.

A new provision clarifies that a signer's response (or failure to respond) to the legislator contact question does not affect the validity of the signer's signature, protecting signers from having their signatures rejected based on how they answer this question.

Two new sections were enacted: Section 20A-7-216 (electronic initiative process for obtaining signatures and requesting removal) and Section 20A-7-217 (electronic initiative process for collecting signatures, email notification from the lieutenant governor, and signature removal). These provide a complete framework for the electronic initiative process that was previously missing.

Sections were renumbered throughout the bill to accommodate the insertion of new Section 20A-1-1003 as Section 5, shifting all subsequent sections by one number. Cross-references were updated accordingly.

Paid signature gatherers must wear a visible badge identifying them as such and must offer every signer a paper document containing the measure title and a link to view the full text and fiscal impact.

Clerks must electronically notify petition signers via email or text message within two business days of verifying their signature status.

Signature gatherers must complete mandatory online training before collecting signatures, and failure to complete it results in packet rejection.

Sponsors of statewide initiatives must email all signers who provided an email address with a link to access the initiative text and fiscal impact statement.

Updated definitions to explicitly include electronic initiative and referendum processes alongside traditional manual paper processes.

Penalties for petition violations were adjusted, with specific provisions added regarding the unlawful payment for signatures and the use of initials 'AV' for disabled voters.

Mandatory online training course for all signature gatherers, with packets rejected if the circulator has not completed it.

Shifted responsibility for sending signature verification status notices from petition sponsors to election officials (clerks).

Repealed the requirement for sponsors to email petition signers; now election officials must send these notices.

Created new definitions for 'traditional' and 'condensed' initiative and referendum packets, allowing QR codes for condensed versions.

Standardized signature sheet formats and updated warning statements to clarify legal consequences and verification rules.

Set specific effective dates for various provisions, with signature verification notice requirements taking effect July 1, 2027.

Clarified criminal penalties for falsifying petition signatures and added specific rules regarding the retention of petition packets.