October 11, 2007 - Governor signs signature stamp act

Paper: San Luis Obispo Tribune
Title: Governor signs signature stamp act
Date: October 11, 2007

People with limited hand mobility will now be able to use a signature stamp instead of signing absentee ballots with an X accompanied by a witness’ signature.

Assembly Bill 18, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday, provides for the change.

The bill was prompted by People First, a group that advocates for people with disabilities. It was introduced by Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, R-San Luis Obispo.

People First said an X accompanied by a witness’ signature indicates illiteracy and lack of intelligence, furthering misconceptions about people with disabilities.

Election officials had been concerned that the use of signature stamps could lead to voting fraud.

The legislation is called the Warren Mattingly Signature Stamp Act, named for the former San Luis Obispo resident and active member of Advocates for a Better Tomorrow and People First. Mattingly died in May at age 54.

Jody Barker, member of People First, said he was proud of the change.

“It will enable the disabled community of California to be able to use the signature stamp on an absentee ballot,” Barker said. “So as a group I feel it’s quite an honor and a feather in our cap, so to speak.”

Signing an X with a witness present was degrading to many disabled people, Barker said. And voting in front of a witness violated their privacy.

—P. Kim Bui