1S-2.008. Random Sampling Procedure for Petition Signature Verification

(1) The procedures provided herein establish a uniform system through the state to be utilized by each supervisor of elections in verifying signatures on petitions by means of a statistically based random sampling method in lieu of actual verification of each signature.

(2) All signatures to be verified shall be on petition cards as prescribed by the Division of Elections of the Department of State having the signee’s name plainly and legibly printed there, his/her residence address, precinct number, and such other information as may be required.

(3)(a) A random sampling verification process shall not be utilized for the purpose of petition signature verifications by a county supervisor of elections unless the total number of signatures submitted to that supervisor is equal to or exceeds one hundred and fifteen percent (115%) of the number required to attain ballot position.

(b) In the case of a multi-county district and statewide office, each supervisor receiving petitions shall promptly notify the Division of Elections of the number of petition signatures submitted to that supervisor. Upon receipt of such notification from all supervisors concerned, the division shall determine if the total number of signatures submitted district or statewide as the case may be is equal to or exceeds the one hundred and fifteen percent (115%) requirement.

(4) For the purpose of this rule the following terms shall be defined as follows:

(a) “Verify” means the comparing of a person’s signature with the registration records of the appropriate supervisor of elections to determine if that person is a duly registered elector qualified to sign the petition card submitted and be counted as a valid signature.

(b) “Petition card” means that form prescribed by the division on which signatures are to be placed for the purpose of placing a candidate or issue on the ballot.

(c) “Division” means the Division of Elections of the Department of State.

(d) “Minimum number of signatures required” means that number of verified signatures of qualified electors corresponding to that percentage of the total number of electors of a given geographical area required by statute to be met in order to place a candidate or issue on the ballot; hereinafter designated as R.

(e) “Number of signatures submitted” means the total number of petition signature cards containing a signature submitted to a supervisor of elections for the purpose of verifying the status of the person whose signature is on the card; hereinafter designated as N.

(f) “Maximum allowable error rate” means that number calculated by the formula

N-R and designated as MAX.

N

(g) “Sample size” means that number determined from table 1 and designated as n.

(h) “Table” means those random sampling tables prepared and published by the division for use in accordance with the procedures contained herein.

(i) “Random number tables” means those random number tables reproduced by the Division of Elections with the permission of the Rand Corporation from a publication entitled “A Million Random Digits With 100,000 Normal Deviates,” Glencoe Free Press Division of the MacMillan Company, New York, 1955.

(j) “Sample proportion of invalid signatures” means that number calculated by the formula

Total number of invalid signatures

Number of cards checked

and designated as P.

(k) “Lower limit” means that number calculated by the formula P - e (where e is the error determined from tables 4-53) and designated as L.

(l) “Upper limit” means that number calculated by formula P + e (where e is the error determined from tables 4-53) and designated as U.

(m) “Select random numbers” means the process of utilizing random number tables to select the appropriate quantity of random numbers in a consistent manner by selecting consecutively from any column continuing through the rows of numbers in either ascending or descending order utilizing a consistent number of digits computed from either the right or left extreme digit to correspond to the largest number of digits of a petition form numerical designation.

(n) “Invalid signature” means those signatures of persons determined by the supervisor not to be electors qualified to sign the petition card submitted.

(5) In the case of a single county determination, the following procedural steps are to be used in the process of determining if a sufficient number of signatures have been submitted by means of a random sampling method.

(a) Step One. Determine the minimum number of signatures required.

(b) Step Two. Determine the number of signature cards submitted. Number each card beginning with 1 and continuing consecutively to N. If less than 100 signatures are submitted, random sampling procedures cannot be utilized and each must be individually checked.

(c) Step Three. Calculate the maximum allowable error rate.

(d) Step Four. Use table 1 to determine the sample size.

(e) Step Five. Select random numbers from the random number table and separate those petition signature cards having numbers corresponding to those random numbers selected until 100 cards have been selected.

(f) Step Six. Verify those 100 signatures and determine the number of invalid signatures.

(g) Step Seven. Calculate the sample proportion of invalid signatures.

(h) Step Eight. Use table 4 to determine the error (e) by selecting the row corresponding to the number of signatures submitted and the column corresponding to the sample proportion of invalid signatures. The intersection of these is the error.

(i) Step Nine. Calculate the lower and upper limits.

(j) Step Ten. If MAX is greater than U the petition should be accepted as satisfying the statutorily required number of signatures. Reject the petition for failing to have sufficient signatures if MAX is less than L. In the event MAX lies between U and L, sampling must continue.

(k) Step Eleven. Sampling continues in increments of 100 cards (see tables 4-53) and using steps five through ten until a decision can be made in step ten, or until the number of cards verified equals the same sample size at which time table 2 is used. If a decision cannot be made at this time all cards must be individually verified.

(6) In the case of multi-county districts the following procedural steps are to be used in the process of determining if a sufficient number of signatures has been submitted by means of a random sample method.

(a) Step One. Determine the number of required petition signatures for the entire district from the numerical list of registered voters in each district by county compiled and distributed by the division.

(b) Step Two. Use table 3 to determine the percentage of the number of petitions submitted in the county to be sampled.

(c) Step Three. Determine the number of signatures submitted (N) and consecutively number the cards 1 through N.

(d) Step Four. Multiply the number of signatures submitted by the percentage determined in step two to determine the number of signatures to be sampled (n).

(e) Step Five. Select n random numbers and separate those petition cards whose numbers correspond to the random numbers selected.

(f) Step Six. Verify the signatures on the cards separated in step five and determine the number of invalid signatures.

(g) Step Seven. Transmit to the division the number of signatures submitted, signatures sampled, and invalid signatures.

(h) Step Eight. The division shall compile the information submitted by each supervisor and determine if the total number of required signatures has been submitted from the district.

Rulemaking Authority 99.097(1)(b) FS. Law Implemented 99.097 FS. History–New 7-25-78, Formerly 1C-7.08, 1C-7.008.