The Division of Elections is aware of the rulemaking procedures prescribed by Section 120.54, Florida Statutes. That process requires advance notice to the general public of intended rules and the opportunity to submit comments on the intended rule, prior to the agency’s adoption of the rule. The time period for general rulemaking takes at least 60 days and will prevent the timely amendment and adoption of a rule needed to amend the method used by the Secretary of State to verify the signatures on constitutional amendment initiative petitions before February 1, 2008. This emergency rule will permit the Secretary of State to make the most accurate determination whether the requisite number of signatures has been obtained. This emergency rule represents a return to the way the Secretary of State made that determination by rule prior to January 2007. On January 9, 2008, the Secretary of State held teleconferences with representatives of the sponsors of initiative petitions, and with members of the press, regarding the Secretary’s lack of confidence in the signature numbers in the statewide voter registration system and informed them that he would be obtaining, and relying upon, paper certifications from each county supervisor of elections.