13-10-608. Verification of signatures by county -- fraudulent or duplicate signatures. (1) The county official shall check the names of all signers to verify they are registered electors. In addition, the official shall check all signatures on each sheet or section and compare them with the signatures of the electors as they appear in the records of the office. A signature may not be counted unless the elector has signed in substantially the same manner as it appears in the records of the office. If the elector is registered with a first and middle name, the use of an initial instead of either the first or middle name, but not both names, need not disqualify the signature. The signature may be counted so long as the signature, taken as a whole, bears sufficient similarity to the signature on the registration form as to provide reasonable certainty of its authenticity.

(2) Upon discovery of fraudulent signatures or duplicate signatures of an elector on any one issue, the election administrator may submit the name of the elector or the signature gatherer, or both, to the county attorney to be investigated under the provisions of 13-10-612 and 13-35-207.