1. The City Clerk, rather than provide the candidate with the number of forms set forth in the preceding sentence, or upon the request of a candidate, may provide the candidate with a master form that may be duplicated by the candidate at the candidate’s expense for the purpose of circulating additional petitions.

2. A candidate may authorize another person to obtain the signature in lieu of filing fee petition on their behalf. Such authorization must be in writing, must name the designated person by name (first and last), and must be signed by the candidate with an original signature only; no electronic or copied signatures are permitted.

3. Each in lieu petition form shall include spaces for the voter’s signature, printed name and residence address. The residence shall include street and number in the City of Berkeley, or other adequate designation of residence so that the location may be readily ascertained. Across the top of each printed page there shall be printed in at least twelve (12) point boldface type the following: “Petition in Lieu of Candidate Filing Fee.” The City Clerk shall complete information on the petition form that identifies the candidate, the office sought, and the date of the election, prior to releasing the form to the candidate or their representative for signature gathering. Each petition section shall bear an affidavit signed by the circulator, in substantially the same form as set forth in the Elections Code. The City Clerk or designee shall sign and date the original petition form issued to the candidate.

1. In the event that the City Council orders a special election to be held to fill a vacancy or as the result of a successful recall petition, and the order is issued less than forty-five (45) days prior to start of the nomination period for said election, the signature in lieu forms shall be made available within five working days after the date the City Council orders the election.

1. If a voter signs more candidates’ petitions than there are offices to be filled, the voter’s signatures shall be valid only on those petitions which, taken in the order they were filed, do not exceed the number of offices to be filled.

2. In lieu filing fee petitions shall be filed at least fifteen (15) days prior to the close of the nomination period. All petition sections must be filed at one time. In lieu filing fee petitions shall not be accepted after the nomination papers for that candidate have been filed. Within ten (10) days after receipt of a petition, the elections official shall notify the candidate of any deficiency. The candidate shall then, prior to the close of the nomination period, either submit a supplemental petition, or pay a pro rata portion of the filing fee to cover the deficiency. Signatures on the supplemental petition may only be used to offset deficient signatures in the original petition and may not be used to further offset the filing fee. Only one supplemental petition shall be issued by the City Clerk. Any deficiency found in the supplemental petition must be paid by cash or check prior to the close of the nomination period.

3. Circulators of in lieu filing fee petitions shall be residents of the City of Berkeley and be qualified to register to vote in the City of Berkeley.