The procedures described below are essentially the same for both party and unenrolled candidates' nomination papers.

To be certified, all signatures on nomination papers must be:

1. Legible
   
2. Signed with the name of the voter substantially as registered and
   
3. Include the complete address at which the voter is registered.
   

• The law allows a voter to insert or omit a middle name or initial.
  
• According to the law, a name should be considered signed substantially as registered if the registrars can reasonably determine the identity of the voter from the form of the signature.
  
• A married woman should sign "Helen Smith," not "Mrs. John Smith."
  
• To avoid legal objections, it is wise to consult a voting list if available to ensure that the voter signs substantially as registered. Avoid the use of a nickname and/or initials whenever possible.
  
• Each candidate may receive one voters' list from each city or town in the district at no cost.
  
• Voters who are uncertain of the way they are registered may sign in different ways on consecutive lines (with address each time) and the registrar will certify only the valid name.
  
• No person may sign for another person unless authorized to do so by a voter who is physically disabled and unable to sign personally. A signature not made by the actual voter is subject to challenge.
  
• A husband may not sign for a wife and a wife may not sign for a husband unless one spouse is physically disabled.
  
• A voter may sign once for each candidate for office. If a voter signs more than once for the same candidate, that voter's name will be certified only once.