Signatures FAQ

Why do I have to sign the ballot return envelope?

Your signature on the ballot envelope is used to verify that the correct person voted the ballot. Our staff are trained by the Washington State Patrol in signature verification. We compare the signature on every envelope to the signature on file for the voter in the voter registration database. If the signature does not match or the envelope is unsigned, we challenge it. The voter will receive a letter in the mail explaining how to correct the problem. We are also required to call all voters with signature challenges prior to certification of the election.

What do I do if I got a letter that my signature on my ballot didn’t match or the envelope was unsigned?

If the signature on your return envelope does not match the signature we have in your voter record, or if you forgot to sign your ballot envelope we will send you a letter to “cure” your signature. If your signature didn't match, sign the declaration on the form the same way you signed the return envelope and return it to us in the postage paid envelope provided. If you didn’t sign your envelope sign the way you usually do. If you printed your name on your envelope be sure to print on the form so we can match the signatures. Several days after the election we will call to remind you if you haven’t returned the letter. If we have your email address we will also email you a reminder.

How are ballots determined to have signature issues?

For every ballot that is returned during an election, Whatcom County Elections staff compare the signature on the return envelope to the signature(s) in the voter registration record for that voter. Any ballot return envelope with a signature that does not match is flagged and reviewed by a second staff member before being challenged and set aside until the voter returns a signature challenge form. This process is required by Washington State law in order to make sure that the voter the ballot was mailed to is the voter who filled out and returned the ballot. 

Someone showed up at my house with a form to correct my signature, do they work for the Auditor’s Office?

The Auditor’s Office will never show up at your house to get you to sign a signature form and will never ask you how you voted. By state law, campaigns can get a copy of the voter list that shows which voters have challenged signatures. They may recruit volunteers to reach out to those voters to get their signatures cured so their votes can be counted. The Auditor’s Office has no oversight responsibility for this activity.  

Does Whatcom County Elections contact voters with a signature challenge issue?

Yes. All voters who have their signature challenged are sent a letter the next business day that explains the issue and includes a signature challenge form along with a postage-paid return envelope they can use to return the form. If the voter has provided an email address or phone number to Whatcom County Elections, they will also be sent emails and phone calls notifying them that there is an issue with their signature.

Is my ballot going to be counted if my signature was challenged?

If your signature has been challenged, you must fix the issue with your signature in order to have your ballot counted. You can do this by returning a signature challenge form to Whatcom County Elections before the day the election results are certified, which occurs 1-3 weeks after Election Day, depending on the type of election. If you do not fix the signature issue in time, your ballot will not be counted for that election.

Once I’ve fixed my signature issue, how can I make sure my ballot was counted?

You can always see whether or not your ballot has been accepted by checking the ballot status at VoteWA.gov.