What is on each petition: A fair, concise summary of the proposed measure must appear at the top, along with the names and residences of the first 10 signers (Const. Proponent organization and requirements: A group of no more than three people is designated to be the chief proponents at the time of original filing (34 OS 1). Const. In 1921 the voters of North Dakota removed from office the governor, attorney general, and commissioner of agriculture. XVI, 1), Timeline for taking effect: Thirty days after the election (Ohio Const. Must be signed by at least 100 qualified voters as sponsors. 116.320). Art. 1953 20A-7-206). Petition title and summary creation: Title board, comprised of secretary of state, attorney general and director of the office of legislative legal services (C.R.S.A. Contributions of $1,000 or more must be reported within 48 hours after receipt (IC 67-6607). Const. Who can sign the petition: Registered voters (A.C.A. 23-17-17). Const. Withdrawal of petition: None, the withdrawal process specified in statute applies only to initiative petitions (CRS 1-40-134). If legislature amends, it does not go into effect until the original is rejected by the voters (OH Const. Twenty-four states have citizen initiative processes. Constitution 48, Init., Pt. Number of signatures required: Ten % of votes cast for all candidates for governor in previous election for statutes. Repeal or change restrictions: Governor may not veto (MT CONST Art.
Oregon Secretary of State Administrative Rules Of the 24 states, 18 allow initiatives to propose constitutional amendments and 21 states allow initiatives to . 4 1, Part 1(6B), (6C) and (6D). Withdrawal of petition: May remove no later than 120 days prior to the next general election (SDCL 2-1-2.3). Art. Art. This same process also applies to individual petition districts (NRS 293.1277). V, 3). Ballot title and summary: Full text is included if not too long. 168.22e; 168.476; 168.477; 168.480, Montana: MCA 13-27-401; 13-27-402; 13-27-410; 13-27-311, Nebraska: Neb. XVI, 2). Ballot measure committees must file pre-primary, pre-general, year-end and, if applicable, supplemental reports in even-numbered years. Timeline for taking effect: The date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by proclamation of the governor, but not later than thirty days after the vote has been canvassed (Const. There is a filing fee of $2,000, which is refunded if the measure qualifies for the ballot within two years (Const. Circulator requirements: U.S. citizen and age 18 or older (10 ILCS 5/28-3), Circulator oaths or affidavits: Yes (10 ILCS 5/28-3), Allowed to pay another for their signature: No statute, Number of signatures required: Eight % of the votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election (ILCS Const. 4, Pt. 1-40-105). Which election: General election, or at a special election ordered by the general assembly (Const. 2, 9). M.G.L.A. Montana, Nebraska and New Mexico have two signature thresholds: The first is sufficient to trigger a referendum vote, and the second, higher amount triggers a referendum vote and also suspends operation of the law in question until the election. Const. C.R.S.A. Ballot title and summary: The secretary of state and the attorney general also jointly make a more descriptive ballot question summary to be sent to voters. 19-112). Rponses possible : a. For statutory initiatives, must be submitted to be verified before appearing before the legislature on the second Tuesday in November in even-numbered years, or the next day (N.R.S. Art. Const. No filing fee is specified (Mo.Rev.Stat. Attorney general, after receiving written comments from the Legislative Research Council. Single subject rule: Yes (N.R.S. 168.471; 168.472). Art. Code 16.1-01-10). For statute, 8% of total votes cast for governor in last general election. Taken together, they are called the politics of direct action. In California (Cal.Const. Submission deadline of signatures: No later than three months and three weeks before the election and made by 3 p.m. on the day of filing (C.R.S.A. Several states require two officials to write or review the title and/or summary, given the importance of these items for a ballot measure. Repeal or change restrictions: May repeal or alter a statute at any time. All 24 citizen initiative states require political organizations supporting or opposing a ballot measurealmost always considered political action committeesto follow state campaign finance laws. What is on each petition: A copy of the act to be referred if the number of words is 500 or fewer; the statement of approval or rejection; a statement of the minimum costs to the state associated with certification of the application and review of the petition, excluding legal costs and costs associated with any challenge to the validity of the petition; an estimate of the cost to the state of voter approval or rejection; an impartial summary of the subject matter of the act; a statement of warning prescribed in AS 15.45.330; sufficient space for the printed name, numeric identifier, signature, date of signature, and address of each person signing the petition; and other specifications prescribed by the lieutenant governor to ensure proper handling and control (AS 15.45.320). Application process information: File with the secretary of state an application containing the act to be referred. Code Ann. II, 10(a)). What is on each petition: Names of 10 original signers in the application and deadline for submission of signatures and follow guidelines of Administrative Rules 950 CMR 48.00 (M.G.L.A. Art. V, 2). 19, 3; N.R.S. For indirect statute petitions, the legislature has 40 session days to pass or reject the unchanged or unamended measure. First 10 signatures must be turned in by the first Wednesday of the September before the assembling of the general court . Art. Art. For an act passed less than 45 days before June 1, the first third of the required number of signatures must be submitted within 30 days of the act's passage, and the time for filing the additional required signatures is extended another 30 days (Const. 34-1809). Art. 116.130). Majority to pass: Yes (OK Const. Art. Paid per signature: No ban, but must state employer if paid (O.R.C. Time period restrictions before placed on the ballot: 120 days after the adjournment of the legislative session (W.S.1977 22-24-319). 14, 3 and see Coalition for Political Honesty v. State Board of Elections (1976). 3, 4; MCA 13-27-301; 13-27-202). 2; Neb. 32-1405.01; 32-1405). 295.0575), Allowed to pay another for their signature: Prohibited (N.R.S. In Missouri, signature requirements are based entirely on congressional districts. General review of petition: The secretary of state reviews and if the office deems it insufficient, the committee of petitioners has 20 days to correct it (NDCC Const. For direct measures, four months from the election (RCWA 29A.72.030). A committee must be formed upon the occurrence of any of the following in a calendar year: receiving $2,000 or more in contributions, , making independent expenditures totaling $1,000 or more or making contributions totaling $10,000 or more. Art. L-04, 2011 WL 1130010 (July 5, 2011). Circulator requirements: Resident,18 years old and paid circulators must wear badges (U.C.A. Allowed to pay another for their signature: Prohibited (Wyo. Timeline for collecting signatures: Petitions carried by paid circulators must be filed on a monthly basis (ORS 250.105). Art. Collected in-person: Yes (NRS 32-630 and -1404). Stat. Const. Also, instead of being based on the date of the election, deadlines for filing popular referendum petitions are generally based either on the day the legislature adjourns or on the date the bill that is the subject of the referendum was signed by the governor. Art. II, 1(b)). 3519.01). Art. Code 9604). Other subject restrictions: Cannot require an expenditure of money unless a sufficient tax is provided (N.R.S. 293.250). Art. Who creates petitions: Secretary of state (N.R.S. Art. Time period restrictions before placed on the ballot: If sufficiency is being reviewed at the time the ballot is being prepared, the measure shall be placed on the ballot and no subsequent decision shall invalidate it if it is approved by a majority of voters (Const. III, 3 and NDCC 16.1-01-09(3)). 19, 2; American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada v. Loma (2006); N.R.S. Where to file with: Secretary of state (N.R.S. III, 5). The committees select a chair and may prepare arguments and rebuttals, which will be reviewed by the secretary of state for the ballot (N.R.S. Majority to pass: Yes (M.R.S.A. 2, Oregon: O.R.S. Art. Application process information: State Board of Elections is empowered to adopt regulations specifying procedures for filing and circulating petitions (Elec. But such enactment may be amended or repealed at any general regular or special election by direct vote of the people thereon (Const. 34-1807), Paid per signature: Ban overturned (Idaho Coalition United for Bears v. Cenarrusa, 2001), Allowed to pay another for their signature: Prohibited (I.C. 100.371). Initiative, referendum, and recall are three means by which the people may bring their will to bear directly on the legislative process and the machinery of government. Paid per signature: Cannot pay based on signature total collected. Application process information: No fee or application prior to circulating. 1953 20A-7-202). 53 7. Records must be kept of contributions and expenditures. Then, select a topic from the column at the left for comprehensive information or select a state in the map for state-specific information. 2, 2; M.G.L.A. III, 3). Art. Timeline for collecting signatures: None except when collecting the second 3 % of signatures of votes in last election for governor, the deadline is 90 days (OH Const. Const. Repeal or change restrictions: No act, law or bill approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon shall be amended or repealed by the legislature within a period of two years following such enactment unless by a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house. 4, Pt. Must include the language "a committee for/against Proposition __" in any reference to the committee required by law (Govt. Art. Art. Art. Art. 12, 2. Const. A filing fee of $500 accompanies the application (W.S.1977 22-24-302; 22-24-303). 2, 9; M.C.L.A. Same must also be reported quarterly on April 15, July 15, Oct. 15, and Jan. 15 (NRS 294A.220). Constitution 48, Pt. Final deadline (this is for counties to transmit verified petitions to the secretary of state) is not less than 120 days before the next general election (Const. Art. Persons involved in a statewide initiative or referendum process are subject to the provisions of the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Act. 14, 9; Art. 53 22A and M.G.L.A. VI, 1 and Utah Code 20A-7-102 and 20A-7-305). 54 42A, 53; M.G.L.A. 6, 1), Repeat measures: Two years (U.C.A. Two years for collection, and deadline of four months prior to the general election. Seventeen states have subject matter limitations other than the single-subject rule: Dedicate revenue, repeal appropriations, create courts, define court rules or jurisdictions, or enact local or special legislation. The Secretary of State's Office is currently operating on an appointment-only basis. 34, 6.1) and Utah (Utah Code 20A-7-306(3) and -306.3). 250.125; 250.067; 250.127). 1(3)). 5, 1; M.G.L.A. 5, 2; M.G.L.A. All 23 popular referendum states require political organizations that support or oppose a ballot measure, often considered political action committees, to follow state campaign finance laws. II, 9). Who can sign the petition: Registered electors of the state (M.C.L.A. Legislature or other government official review: After chance for comment by all legislators, the legislative council prepares an impartial analysis with description, background information and likely effects (A.R.S. Timeline for taking effect: Takes effect on the 5th day after the secretary of state files the statement of the vote (Const. Petition title and summary creation: Secretary of state (21-A MRS 901(4)). 7-9-601; A.C.A. Pamphlet contains one-sentence statements describing the effect of a yes or no vote prepared jointly by the attorney general and the state secretary. It is based on the principle that officeholders are agents of the popular will and should, therefore, be constantly subject to its control. Signature pages must include description of subject and purpose of petition, a fair and accurate summary or the full text, a statement to which each signer subscribes, spaces for signatures, spaces for signers' county and space for the required affidavit. Number of signatures required: 4% of the votes cast for the office of governor at the last election (Const. Colorado. Attorney general certifies submitted title and measure and summary by secretary of state, with attorney general oversight. Must be 18 or older and a U.S. citizen (M.C.L.A. For indirect statutory initiatives, roughly 11 months and two weeks (N.R.S. XVI, 5(b) and Elec. 4, ; Const. 34-1813). Petitions must be submitted to counties for verification four weeks before this deadline (MCA 13-27-301). Some states place restrictions on how sponsors may pay petition circulators. IV, pt. 3. create a unicameral national legislature. Const. 23-17-47; 23-17-49; 23-17-51; 23-17-53, Missouri: V.A.M.S. Art. Secretary of state, in consultation with attorney general, OH Const. Allowed to pay another for their signature: Prohibited (Mo.Rev.Stat. Art. V, 2). XI, 3). And attorney general reviews legality (MCA 13-27-202; 13-27-312; 13-27-402). Conflicting measures: No statute found other than if the attorney general determines that their subject/purpose/effect are similar, they will give them identical ballot titles (OR Rev. Signatures must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the 90th day after final adjournment of the legislature (34 OS 8). Art. 7-9-105). 15, 273; Miss. 2). Proponent organization and requirements: A committee of three applicants must be designated to represent the sponsors in all matters pertaining to the petition. Const.
Ballot Initiatives | State of California - Department of Justice Const. May only amend structural and procedural subjects contained in Article IV. Art. No signatures may be obtained prior to 24 months before the general elections that it is to be voted upon, and signatures must be filed one year prior to the election (SDCL 2-1-1.2). Other subject restrictions: Cannot "pass a law authorizing any classification of property for the purpose of levying different rates of taxation thereon or of authorizing the levy of any single tax on land or land values or land sites at a higher rate or by a different rule than is or may be applied to improvements thereon or to personal property" (OH Const. Where to file: Secretary of state (SDCL 2-1-3.1). Const. Which election is a measure on: Regular election unless otherwise ordered by Legislative Assembly (OR CONST Art. Attorney general aids summary. Seven years (or two-thirds vote prior to seven years), Two years (or two-thirds vote prior to two years). 116.320). Does the law in question take effect before the referendum vote: Non-emergency laws subject to referendum do not take effect until 30 days after voter approval. For constitutional amendments, 15 % of legal voters (OK Const.