Candidate Petition Information Verify Electronic Process Study

With regard to candidates by petition: Section 1 requires designated election officials to verify that a circulator is qualified to circulate any petitions filed and clarifies that designated election officials may use random sampling, in accordance with rules promulgated by the secretary of state, to verify candidate petition information. Section 2 directs the secretary of state, in consultation with county clerk and recorders and other designated election officials, to create a pilot program to study best practices and modern technology that may be used for electronic candidate petition processes. The secretary of state must report any findings and recommendations during the department of state's 'State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act' presentation in the interim before the 2020 legislative session.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)