1.  If the total number of signatures on the petition is 500 or less, the county or city clerk shall examine every signature on the petition for verification.

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2.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, if the total number of signatures on the petition is more than 500, the county or city clerk shall examine the signatures only by sampling them at random for verification. The random sample of signatures to be verified must be drawn in such a manner that every signature which has been submitted to the county or city clerk is given an equal opportunity to be included in the sample. The sample must include an examination of at least 500, or 5 percent, of the signatures, whichever is greater. If the examination of the random sample shows that the number of valid signatures is less than 90 percent of the number of signatures of registered voters needed to certify the petition sufficient, the petition must be certified insufficient pursuant to subsection 5. If the examination of the random sample shows that the number of valid signatures is 90 percent or more but less than 100 percent of the number of signatures of registered voters needed to certify the petition sufficient, the county or city clerk shall continue to examine the signatures for verification until he or she has:

(a) Determined that 100 percent of the number of signatures of registered voters needed to certify the petition sufficient are valid; or

(b) Examined every signature for verification.

3.  In determining from the records of registration the number of registered voters who have signed the petition, and in examining the signatures on the petition for verification, the county or city clerk may use any file or list of registered voters maintained by his or her office or facsimiles of the signatures of voters. If the county or city clerk uses the file of applications to register to vote, he or she shall ensure that every application in the file is examined, including any application in his or her possession which may not yet be entered into his or her records. The county or city clerk may rely on the appearance of the signature, and the address and date included with each signature, in making the determination. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, a petition must not be certified insufficient for lack of the required number of valid signatures if, in the absence of other proof of disqualification, any signature on the face thereof does not exactly correspond with the signature appearing on the file or list of registered voters used by the county or city clerk and the identity of the signer can be ascertained from the face of the petition.

4.  If necessary, the board of county commissioners or the governing body of the city shall allow the county or city clerk additional assistants for examining the signatures and provide for their compensation.

5.  If, pursuant to the examination of signatures for verification as required by this section, the number of valid signatures is:

(a) One hundred percent or more of the number of signatures of registered voters needed to certify the petition sufficient, the petition must be certified sufficient.

(b) Less than 100 percent of the number of signatures of registered voters needed to certify the petition sufficient, the petition must be certified insufficient.