Opinion ID: 1720542
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: majority jurisdictional survey

Text: Ala.Code § 17-10-7 (1987); Wells v. Ellis, 551 So.2d 382 (Ala.1989); Williams v. Lide, 628 So.2d 531 (Ala.1993); Ariz.Rev.Stat.Ann. §§ 16-544, -547, -548 (1984 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but §§ 16-550, -552 require two-tier signature comparisons); Az. Op.Atty.Gen. No. 179-248 (Oct. 4, 1979) (states that previous Arizona case law requires only substantial compliance with election requirements); Ark.Code Ann. § 7-5-409 (Michie 1993) (no notarization or attestation is required); Forrest v. Baker, 287 Ark. 239, 698 S.W.2d 497 (1985) (holding that out of town as a reason for seeking an absentee ballot is substantial compliance with the statute requiring a reason to be given); Cal.Elec.Code § 3011 (West 1995) (no notarization or attestation is required, but §§ 3009(a) and 3019 require two-tier signature comparisons); Wilks v. Mouton, 42 Cal.3d 400, 722 P.2d 187, 229 Cal.Rptr. 1 (1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1066, 107 S.Ct. 953, 93 L.Ed.2d 1002 (1987) (Non-compliance with the directory provisions of the Elections Code will not nullify a vote. While the legislature the following year added the word mandatory to the statutes, subsequent case law has followed a substantial compliance standard.); Colo.Rev.Stat.Ann. §§ 1-8-114, 1-8-115 (West 1980 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required); Erickson v. Blair, 670 P.2d 749 (Colo.1983) (rejects the rule of strict compliance and adopts a standard of substantial compliance which is adequate to the task of both preventing fraud in elections and preserving the absent voter's right of suffrage against unnecessary and technical restrictions); Conn.Gen.Stat.Ann. §§ 9-137, 9-139 (West 1995) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 9-140 requires that absentee ballot may be mailed only to the voter's personal address); Gargano v. Downey, 30 Conn.Supp. 254, 309 A.2d 347 (1973) (holding that Connecticut follows the substantial compliance standard); Fla.Stat.Ann. §§ 101.64, 101.65 (West 1992) (absentee voter must sign envelope and signature must be witnessed by two persons); Boardman v. Esteva, 323 So.2d 259 (Fla. 1975), cert. denied, 425 U.S. 967, 96 S.Ct. 2162, 48 L.Ed.2d 791 (1976) (This case applied the substantial compliance standard to Florida's absentee voting laws. In this case, some electors had failed to sign their ballots, but because their names were written somewhere on their ballots and witnesses had signed them, the Court allowed the ballots to be counted even though they did not technically comply with the statutes.); McLean v. Bellamy, 437 So.2d 737 (Fla.Dist.Ct.App. 1983) (stating that witness requirements were directory and not mandatory); Bolden v. Potter, 452 So.2d 564 (Fla.1984) (We reiterate our previous statement that courts must not interfere with an election process when the will of the people is unaffected by the wrongful conduct.); Ga.Code Ann. §§ 21-2-381, 21-2-384, 21-2-386 (Michie 1993) (No notarization or attestation is required, unless the elector needs assistance, but there is a one-tier signature comparison, and the ballots may be mailed only to the voter's permanent mailing address.); Haw.Rev.Stat. § 15-6 (1985) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 15-9 requires a one-tier signature comparison); Thirty Voters of Kauai County v. Doi, 61 Haw. 179, 599 P.2d 286 (1979) (applying rule of substantial compliance to Hawaii's general election laws); Idaho Code § 34-1004 (1981) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 34-1008 requires a one-tier signature comparison); McCall v. Martin, 74 Idaho 277, 262 P.2d 787 (1953) ([W]hen a ballot is sufficiently plain to gather therefrom a part of the voter's intention, it should be the duty of the judges to count such part.) (citing Idaho Code § 34-1202 (1891)); Ill.Ann.Stat. ch. 10, para. 5/19-5, 5/19-9 (Smith-Hurd 1993) (Under Illinois law, no notarization or attestation is required, but the statute requires a one-tier signature comparison. The statute states must substantially follow this form.); Craig v. Peterson, 39 Ill.2d 191, 233 N.E.2d 345 (1968) (holding that substantial compliance with statutory requirement of initialing of ballots was directory rather than mandatory in absentee ballot situation); Bazydlo v. Volant, 264 Ill. App.3d 105, 636 N.E.2d 1107, 201 Ill.Dec. 675 (1994), aff'd, 164 Ill.2d 207, 647 N.E.2d 273, 207 Ill.Dec. 311 (1995); Pullen v. Mulligan, 138 Ill.2d 21, 561 N.E.2d 585, 149 Ill.Dec. 215 (1990) (Literal compliance with directory provisions will not be required if it appears that the spirit of the law has not been violated and the result of the election has been fairly ascertained.); Ind.Code Ann. §§ 3-11-4-21, 3-11-10-4 (Burns 1993 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but there is a one-tier signature comparison); Iowa Code Ann. § 53.16 (West 1995) (no notarization or attestation is required) Lee v. Rand, 299 N.W.2d 486 (Iowa 1980) (applying rule of substantial compliance to Iowa's election laws); Kan.Stat.Ann. § 25-1124 (1993) (no notarization or attestation is required); Willmeth v. Harris, 195 Kan. 322, 403 P.2d 973 (1965) (applying substantial compliance standard); Hansen v. Lindley, 152 Kan. 63, 102 P.2d 1058 (1940) (minor discrepancies in notarization did not affect the validity of the absentee ballots); Ky.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 117.086 (Baldwin 1993) (no notarization or attestation is required); Rives v. Pettit, 513 S.W.2d 475 (Ky.Ct.App. 1974) (stating that absentee ballots did not have to be eliminated because of the irregular manner in which they were handled and counted); La.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 18:1310 (West 1979 & Supp.1995) (absentee ballot must be notarized or attested by two witnesses); Brunet v. Evangeline Parish Bd. of Supervisors of Elections, 379 So.2d 271 (La.Ct.App.1979) (A recount of absentee ballots conducted prior to the removal of a restraining order constituted substantial compliance with absentee voting laws.); Me.Rev.Stat.Ann. tit. 21-A, §§ 754-A(1)(c), 754-A(3) (West 1993) (no notarization or attestation is required, unless the elector needs assistance, but § 756(2) requires a one-tier signature comparison); Kelly v. Curtis, 287 A.2d 426 (Me.1972) (stating that Maine generally uses a liberal construction standard to determine the meaning of the constitutional provisions that relate to the holding of special elections for the enactment or rejection at the polls of measures initiated by the people); Md.Elec.Code Ann. Art. 33 §§ 27-4, 27-9 (1993) (no notarization or attestation is required); Mass.Gen.Laws Ann. ch. 54, §§ 87, 92, 97 (West 1990 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but §§ 91 and 94 require a one-tier signature comparison); Colten v. City of Haverhill, 409 Mass. 55, 564 N.E.2d 987 (1991) (applying rule of substantial compliance to allow votes that lacked addresses and reasons for voting absentee); Connolly v. Secretary of Commonwealth, 404 Mass. 556, 536 N.E.2d 1058 (1989) (This case applied rule of substantial compliance to allow unwitnessed votes to be counted. The witness lines of the absentee ballot affidavit forms had erroneously been omitted, but because of other adequate safeguards, such as the elector's address, place of voting, the date the ballot was mailed, and an affidavit signed by the elector, the votes were counted.); Mich.Comp.Laws Ann. §§ 168.764, 168.764A, 168.766 (West 1989 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but there is a one-tier signature comparison); Andrews v. Branigin, 21 Mich.App. 568, 175 N.W.2d 839 (1970) (This case applied a substantial compliance standard to Michigan election laws. The general intent of the act as a whole must be considered; effectuation of the purpose of a statute should if possible prevail over its strict letter when construing the statute.); Minn.Stat.Ann. §§ 203B.07(2), 203B.21 (West 1994) (absentee ballot must be notarized or witnessed); Matter of Contest of School Dist. Election Held on May 17, 1988, 431 N.W.2d 911 (Minn.Ct.App.1988) (Election resulting in fair and free expression of will of legal voters will not be invalidated because of departure from statutory regulations governing conduct of election, except in those cases where legislature has clearly and unequivocally expressed intent that specific statutory provision is essential jurisdictional prerequisite.); Mo.Ann.Stat. § 115.291 (Vernon 1994) (absentee ballot must be notarized); Application of Lawrence, 353 Mo. 1028, 185 S.W.2d 818 (1945) (Election laws must be liberally construed in aid of the right of suffrage.); Mont.Code Ann. §§ 13-13-221, 13-13-241 (1993) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 13-13-213(1) requires two-tier signature comparison); Maddox v. Board of State Canvassers, 116 Mont. 217, 149 P.2d 112 (1944) (applying a substantial compliance standard to Montana election laws; concerned voting compliance by those in the military); Nev.Rev.Stat. § 293.330 (1995) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 293.325 requires one-tier signature comparison); N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann. §§ 657:17, 657:20 (1986 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 659:50 requires one-tier signature comparison); N.J.Stat.Ann. §§ 19:57-16, 19:57-17, 19:57-23, 19:57-24 (West 1989 & Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, unless the elector needs assistance, but there is a one-tier signature comparison); Petition of Livingston, 83 N.J.Super. 98, 199 A.2d 37 (1964), cert. denied, Livingston v. O'Donnell, 42 N.J. 420, 201 A.2d 62 (1964) (In this case, a candidate notarized absentee ballots, and the court stated that absent any showing of fraud, there is no reason to disfranchise those voters because the New Jersey legislature has provided that absentee voting laws should be liberally construed.); N.M.Stat.Ann. § 1-6-9 (Michie Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required); Kiehne v. Atwood, 93 N.M. 657, 604 P.2d 123 (1979) (rejected seven absentee votes not notarized in the presence of the elector); N.Y.Elec.Law §§ 7-122, 8-410 (McKinney 1978 & Supp.1995) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 9-104 requires one-tier signature comparison); St. John v. Board of Elections of County of Albany, 145 Misc.2d 324, 546 N.Y.S.2d 301 (N.Y.Sup.Ct. 1989) (indicating that New York applies a substantial compliance standard in applying election laws); Application of Egan, 134 Misc.2d 500, 511 N.Y.S.2d 465 (N.Y.Sup.Ct. 1986) (The court held that no date was needed on the absentee ballot in order to substantially comply. The right of the voter to be safeguarded against disfranchisement and to have his intent implemented ... transcends technical errors.); N.C.Gen.Stat. §§ 163-227, 163-229 (1994) (absentee ballot must be witnessed by two persons); N.D.Cent.Code § 16.1-07-08 (1991 & Supp. 1993) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 16.1-07-12 requires one-tier signature comparison); Mittelstadt v. Bender, 210 N.W.2d 89 (N.D.1973) (This case applied a substantial compliance standard in an absentee ballot case. Our statutes are to be liberally construed to effect their objects and promote justice.); but cf. Kuhn v. Beede, 249 N.W.2d 230 (N.D.1976) (A statutory provision that absentee ballots must be endorsed with an official stamp and the initials of election official was held mandatory.); Ohio Rev.Code Ann. §§ 3509.04, 3509.05 (Baldwin 1988 & Supp.1993) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 3509.06 requires one-tier signature comparison); Martin v. Porter, 353 N.E.2d 919 (Ohio Com.Pl. 1976) (All provisions of election laws are mandatory in the sense that they impose the duty of obedience on those who come within their purview; however, irregularities which are not caused by fraud and which do not interfere with a full and fair expression of the voter's choice should not effect a disfranchisement of the voters.); Okla.Stat. tit. 14, §§ 107-08 (1991) (voter's affidavit must be notarized); Or.Rev.Stat. § 253.065 (1986) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 253.080 requires one-tier signature comparison); Pa.Stat.Ann. tit. 25, § 3146.6 (1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, unless the elector needs assistance); R.I.Gen.Laws § 17-20-21 (1988 & Supp. 1994) (absentee ballot must be notarized or attested by two witnesses); § 17-20-26 requires statute to be liberally construed. Ball v. Board of Elections, 102 R.I. 227, 229 A.2d 617 (1967) (applying a substantial compliance standard for Rhode Island's general election laws); S.C.Code Ann. §§ 7-15-380, 7-15-385 (Law. Co-op.Supp.1993) (absentee ballot must be witnessed); Knight v. State Bd. of Canvassers, 297 S.C. 55, 374 S.E.2d 685 (1988) (liberally construing South Carolina absentee voting laws and allowing absentee ballots that did not comply with technical statutory requirements to be counted); but cf. Gregory v. South Carolina Democratic Executive Comm., 271 S.C. 364, 247 S.E.2d 439 (1978) (The court declined to count unwitnessed ballots, although South Carolina's absentee voting statute is stricter than Alabama's statute. Specifically, according to South Carolina law, no ballot shall be counted unless the oath is properly signed and enclosed therewith); Tex.Elec.Code Ann. §§ 86.005, 87.041 (1986 & Supp.1995) (no notarization or attestation is required, but there is a one-tier signature comparison); Fugate v. Johnston, 251 S.W.2d 792 (Tex.Ct.App.1952) (An election contestant challenged 58 absentee votes for reasons such as nonresidence, below voting age, alienage, etc., but the court said it would not use the Election Code as an instrument for disfranchisement for irregularities of procedure.); Lee v. Whitehead, 182 S.W.2d 744 (Tex.Ct.App.1944) (An absentee ballot unaccompanied by an application or an affidavit was still counted because these statutory requirements were directory and partly because the mistake was due to an election official.); Alvarez v. Espinoza, 844 S.W.2d 238 (Tex.Ct.App.1992); Garza v. Salinas, 434 S.W.2d 153 (Tex.Civ.App.1968) (Both of these cases rejected ballots because of inadequate signature comparisons. In Garza, the court suspected that the votes were cast illegally.); Utah Code Ann. §§ 20A-3-305, 20A-3-308 (Supp.1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but there is a one-tier signature comparison); Vt.Stat.Ann. tit. 17, § 2540-42 (1982 & Supp. 1994) (no notarization or attestation is required); Conn v. Town of Brattleboro, 120 Vt. 315, 140 A.2d 6 (1958) (This case applied a substantial compliance standard in upholding a municipal election, even though the defective notice of the election was a deviation from the exact statutory language.); Wash.Rev.Code Ann. § 29.36.045 (West 1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but § 29.36.060 requires one-tier signature comparison); W.Va.Code §§ 3-3-1, 3-3-5, 3-4A-21 (1994) (no notarization or attestation is required, but absentee voters must generally vote in person in the office of the clerk of the circuit court) State ex rel. Heavener v. Perry, 155 W.Va. 353, 184 S.E.2d 136 (1971) (The failure of a voter to perform an act prescribed by an election statute will not deprive him of the privilege of voting unless the statute plainly and clearly, by express provision or necessary implication, requires that result.); State ex rel. McKown v. Board of Canvassers of Berkeley County, 113 W.Va. 498, 168 S.E. 793 (1933); (The intention of the voter, when ascertainable, is `the guiding star' in ascertaining for whom a ballot shall be counted.); Wis.Stat.Ann. § 6.87 (West 1991-92) (absentee ballot must be notarized or attested by two witnesses); Matter of Hayden, 105 Wis.2d 468, 313 N.W.2d 869 (1981) (Substantial compliance with delivery of the ballots was acceptable, as was a delayed addition of a date by a notary. Strict compliance with a directory statute is not required.); Lanser v. Koconis, 62 Wis.2d 86, 214 N.W.2d 425 (1974).