The confidence rating in Automatic Signature Verification (ASV) software reflects how certain the system is that a signature on a mail ballot envelope matches the voter’s signature on file. The software assigns a percentage score to each comparison — the higher the percentage, the greater the confidence in the match. This rating is influenced by factors such as the clarity of the signature image, its similarity to known samples, and the verification methods used by the software.
In San Bernardino County, the confidence threshold is set at 45%. If a signature receives a confidence rating of 45% or higher, the ballot proceeds to be counted without further review. If the rating falls below 45%, the ballot is referred to trained staff for manual signature verification.