Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017 • California election officials’ statement on ACLU lawsuit challenging voter signature matching

Publisher’s note: This story originally appeared in the Tuesday, Sept. 12. 2017 edition of the Lassen County Times.

The California Association of Clerks and Election Officials has a history of working proactively in support of legislation and policy that advances voting rights and encourages voter participation in the State of California.

CACEO has championed efforts to improve access to voting and to provide expanded options for voting. In doing so, CACEO has worked in collaboration with voting rights and election integrity advocates helping position California as a leader in voter enfranchisement, fair and secure elections, and transparency.

In response to the lawsuit filed recently by the ACLU of Northern California challenging the voter signature matching process for vote by mail ballots, CACEO makes the following statement:

“California election law requires the Registrar of Voters to verify the signatures on all vote by mail ballots to the signature on file with the individual voter’s registration. Additionally, the law requires registrars to provide a free access system for voters to check the status of their vote by mail ballot. Election officials in California are diligent in their compliance with these legal provisions and every legal effort is made to ensure all valid votes are counted.

“At a time when voter confidence is low and other states are reducing access to voting, it is unfortunate to see this issue litigated rather than addressed through a collaborative effort that balances any risk of disenfranchisement to the need for security and validation of voter eligibility. The messaging associated with the lawsuit mischaracterizes the work of election officials to comply with California election law and the professionalism with which those duties are performed.

“Any change in the standard by which our elections are secured is best determined through a deliberative and open dialog carried out through the legislative process. While we disagree with the premise of this lawsuit, we remain committed to working toward solutions that both improve and safeguard California’s electoral process.”