Section 3-177-652 - Return identification envelopes; signature validation(a) The clerk will initially compare the signature on a return identification envelope with the reference signature or reference signatures of the voter. The clerk may authorize the use of a signature device, as defined in HAR § 3-177-653, to compare signatures. A signature considered matched by a signature device will be considered valid and not require further verification.(b) A "reference signature" is any signature provided in connection with the administration of elections or any signature provided to election officials from a governmental entity obtained in the ordinary course of business (e.g. voter signatures on any election issued form or- application, correspondence with election officials, signature capture cards sent to and returned by voters, signatures from the Department of Transportation or county licensing examiners, or signatures from any governmental entity shared with election officials).(c) Any signature not initially validated by the signature device or that was not submitted to a signature device will be visually compared by the election official. (1) As a return identification envelope was issued and transmitted to the voter, the return of the: return identification envelope or electronic equivalent will be rebuttably presumed to be from the voter and any signature contained therein as that of the voter;(2) A voter is permitted to use a variation of their name, to the extent it can be recognized as such by the reviewing election official;(3) The election official will review the general appearance of. the signatures taking into account the above noted rebuttable presumption, permitted name variations, and the following: (A) type of writing (e.g. cursive versus print);(B) speed of writing (e.g. harmonious versus slow and deliberate);(D) overall size and proportions;(E) position of the signature (e.g. slanted versus straight); and(F) spelling and punctuation.(4) The election official will consider whether any apparent differences can be reasonably explained, by the facts and circumstances surrounding the signatures. The election official may consider, but not be limited to, the following considerations: (A) When the signatures were made incomparison to each (e.g. a significant period of time has transpired between signatures); (B) The age of the writer at the time of the signatures;(C) How the signatures were made (e.g. driver license offices may use an electronic signature pad to record signatures, including those used for voter registration, while an envelope may be signed in ink); or(D) Whether household members signed and returned each other's return identification envelope by accident, in which case, if the signatures match each of the correct voter's signature reference image and the voters have not otherwise voted, such that the counting of the impacted ballots would not result in a voter having voted a ballot not associated with their residence or containing questions or contests they are not eligible to vote on the impacted return identification envelopes may be considered valid.(d) A voter may make a mark in place of a signature on the affirmation statement on the return identification envelope so long as there is a witness' signature and address on the affirmation statement. In such a situation, the return identification envelope will be considered valid. If no witness' signature and address appear on the affirmation statement, then the return identification, envelope will be deemed invalid. However, if a voter is physically unable to sign or to make a mark, they may use the provisions of HRS § 456-19 to have a notary sign on their behalf, and the return identification envelope will be considered valid.[Eff JUL 26 2020] (Auth: HRS § 11-4) (Imp: HRS §§ 11-15, 11-16, 11-106, 11-107, 11-108, 15-9, 15D-10, 456-19)