(2) If the total number of signatures presented to a county clerk or the Secretary of State for verification is 15,000 or more, the county clerk or secretary may use a statistical sampling technique authorized by the secretary to verify the signatures. The sample shall be drawn from at least 100 percent of the number of signatures required for nomination.
(3) After signatures of electors on a nominating petition, minutes of an assembly of electors or petition by individual electors are submitted for verification, no elector who signed the petition or minutes may remove the signature of the elector from the petition or minutes.
(4) The Secretary of State by rule shall establish procedures for verifying whether a petition submitted under this section contains the required number of signatures of electors. [Formerly 249.055; 1985 c.808 §10; 1989 c.68 §2; 1993 c.493 §6; 2017 c.749 §43]