Oregon Secretary of State

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Circulator FAQ

Correcting Circulator Certification D​efects

Learn about corrective actions you can take prior to submitting petitions for signature verification.

​If the circulator has: ​The circulator should:

​Signed using only initials

Unless the circulator’s use of initials 
as a signature is verified by exe​mplar

 ​Re-sign and re-date certification

​Signed using a signature stamp

Unless the use of a signature stamp has been approved under ORS 246.025

 ​Re-sign and re-date certification

​Signed using an illegible signature

Unless the circulator’s use of an illegible signature is verified by exemplar

 ​Re-sign and re-date certification

​Signed using printed script instead of cursive 

Unless the circulator’s use of a printed script signature is verified by exemplar

 ​Re-sign and re-date certification
​Photocopied or carbon copied the certification ​Re-sign and re-date certification
​Signed in a manner that the signature, printed name and address are all illegible ​Re-sign and re-date certification
​If the date is: ​The circulator should:
​Missing ​Re-sign and re-date certification
Crossed out ​Re-sign and re-date certification
​Overwritten with a different date

​Re-sign and re-date certification

Initials are not sufficient

​Earlier than all petition signers ​Re-sign and re-date certification
​Partial or ambiguous

​Re-sign and re-date certification

Date must be provided in month, day, year order if written in all numeric characters

Defects that cannot be corrected:
​​The original signature of a circulator has been crossed out, and a different circulator’s signature is inserted

​Two individuals sign and date as circu​lator

​Unless the only signers and ​the circulators are th​e same people

 Wite-Out appears on the signature and date line​

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​Q&A for Circulators

Question: What if the prospective petition sheet and the text get separated?

Answer: If the signature sheet and the text become separated after the signatures have been collected but before submission to the Elections Division, the chief petitioner has to provide a notarized statement signed by each circulator attesting that at no time during the circulation process were the signature sheets separated from the text of the prospective sponsorship petition. Or, they may begin the process again.

Q: What if someone signs the petition sheet after the circulator has signed and dated it?

A: The circulator needs to re-sign and re-date the sheet. The circulator must not cross out their original signature or date.

Q: What if a signer enters incorrect information?

A: Signers should correct their own information. If the circulator corrects the information, the signer must initial any change.

Q: Can someone who has legal authority sign for a disabled person?

A: No. No one can sign for someone else. They must sign the petition sheet like they signed their voter registration card.

Q: Can I sign one petition sheet and make copies?

A: No. Original signatures on the petition sheet are required.​​​​​​​