Section 16.1-07-31 - Prohibition of nonessential requirements1. If a voter's mistake or omission in the completion of a document under sections 16.1-07-18 through 16.1-07-33 does not prevent determining whether a covered voter is eligible to vote, the mistake or omission does not invalidate the document. Failure to satisfy a nonessential requirement, such as using paper or envelopes of a specified size or weight, does not invalidate a document submitted under this chapter. In any write-in ballot authorized by law, if the intention of the voter is discernable, as provided under the Help America Vote Act [ 42 U.S.C. 15481(a)(6) ], an abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation in the form of the name of a candidate or a political party must be accepted as a valid vote.2. Notarization is not required for the execution of a document under sections 16.1-07-18 through 16.1-07-33. An authentication, other than the declaration specified in section 16.1-07-27 or the declaration on the federal postcard application and federal write-in absentee ballot, is not required for execution of a document under sections 16.1-07-18 through 16.1-07-33. The declaration and any information in the declaration may be compared against information on file to ascertain the validity of the document.Added by S.L. 2011, ch. 154 (SB 2120),§ 16, eff. 8/1/2011.