Year Established: process adopted 1912, but laws specifying mechanics of process not adopted until 1933. 19, 1). 3519.01 and 3519.05(C). Art. Proponent financial disclosure requirements: A ballot question committee includes any person, located within or outside Arkansas, who receives contributions or makes expenditures for the purpose of expressly advocating the qualification, disqualification, passage or defeat of any ballot measure. 7-9-107). 19-111). Where to file: Secretary of state (NRS 32-1405). answer choices. What is on each petition: The statement written by the secretary of state and the full text of the measure must be included (NDCC 16.1-01-09). Fifteen states follow a single-subject rule: Nine states do not have a single-subject rule: Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota. Ballot title and summary: Attorney general (Cal.Elec.Code 9004), Time period restrictions before placed on the ballot: At least 131 days prior to next general election it is to be voted on (Cal.Elec.Code 9016; Cal.Const. Art. Art. III, 5(1)). 4, 1, Pt. Fiscal review: State auditor prepares, and proponents may submit proposed review (V.A.M.S. 3, 2). Groups must file reports detailing contributions received in excess of $100 in the aggregate and all other contributions and expenditures made by the group. Art. IV, 1). Does the law in question take effect before the referendum vote: For the purposes of the second paragraph of Const. Art. For initiated state statutesorveto referendums, signatures must be gathered from 5% of qualified electors in each of one-third (34) of the state's 100 legislative districts. Petitions must be submitted to counties for verification four weeks before this deadline. Circulator requirements: Resident,18 years old and paid circulators must wear badges (U.C.A. A statement must be filed by a ballot issue committee supporting or opposing a measure not more than 35 days after the petition is filed (MCL 169.234). V, 1(6)). 8). Every state requires or offers some type of review in addition to fiscal statements. Art. Twelve months for collection, and no signatures may be obtained prior to 24 months before the general elections that it is to be voted upon. Repeal or change restrictions: Two-thirds vote required to amend or repeal within seven years of effective date (Const. Reports of contributions and expenditures are due on the 12th day before an election, the 38th day after an election and the last business day of January and July of every year (ORC 3517.10). Five states impose an additional threshold. Art. Who creates petitions: The secretary of state creates the form and the petitions at the expense of the sponsors (W.S.1977 22-24-310; 22-24-311). Petitions must be submitted within 90 days of the adjournment of the legislature which passed the law. Art. Who creates petitions: Sponsors (IC 34-1805). In three states (Massachusetts, Ohio and Utah), proponents must gather additional signatures to place the measure on the ballot after the first round. Constitution 48, Pt. 116.060. 1953 20A-7-205). Get started for free! Allowed to pay another for their signature: Prohibited (NDCC, 16.1-01-12). 2, Sec. Paid signature gatherers must register with the secretary of state and pay a fee of $20 for each petition they will be paid to circulate (SDCL 2-1-1.5 through -1.9). Submission deadline for signatures: Within 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session at which it was passed (Const. XLVII, Pt. Art. 3, 51; V.A.M.S. 1953 20A-7-202; U.C.A. III, 2; Bernbeck v. Gale, 59 F.Supp.3d 949 [2014]; 829 F.3d 643, United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit). 100.371), Geographic distribution: Signatures in each of one-half of the 27 congressional districts of the state (F.S.A. 1-40-105). For statute initiatives, no later than three months prior to the election the measure is to be voted upon, and must submit to the county officials no sooner than nine months and no later than four weeks prior to the final deadline. And, must also be submitted to the appropriate officials of cities, towns or plantations, or state election officials as authorized by law, 10 days before it's due with the secretary of state (M.R.S.A. II, 9 and MCL 168.471). IV, 1). Proponent organization and requirements: Application includes sponsors name, or if an organization, the names and titles of its officers, and an address (ARS 19-111). Does the law in question take effect before the referendum vote: Suspended upon filing of petition signatures (Const. Cannot be a person once convicted of, or who has pled guilty to crimes involving forgery, Criminal background check done for paid circulators with additional restrictions, Cannot in last five years have been convicted of a crime involving fraud, forgery, or identification theft or subject to a civil penalty due to an election offense. XI, 2). Number of signatures required: 10% of the total vote for governor cast in the last election (Const. Director of the Legislative Research Council prepares a fiscal note as requested. Repeal or change restrictions: Two-thirds vote is required to amend or repeal a measure approved by a vote of the people (Cont. III, 52(a) and 53). Art. Circulator oaths or affidavit required: Yes (Elec. Ballot title and summary: Attorney general (RCW 29A. States vary a great deal in how they verify collected signatures. Nine states do not include a process in statute for an individual to withdraw his or her signature. Statewide general election, and 90 days before the first day of the legislative session and the first five measures make it on the ballot. 7-9-404; 405; 406; 407; 408; 409). Collected in-person: Yes, In-person (21-A MRS 902). Recall is the ability as a citizen to petition for a re-vote of an elected official who is believed to be ineffective. Circulator requirements: Age 18 or older (Elec. Legislature or other government official review: Proponents may get help drafting from Office of Legislative Council. Const. 22-24-407). Art. Constitution 48, Init., Pt. IV, 1b). Proponent financial disclosure requirements: Include but may not be limited to that proponent or opponent groups for a ballot proposition are considered political issue committees unless they meet certain criteria such as not expending more than $5,000, and political issue committees register and report financially (U.C.A. Const. II, 1c and ORC 3519.21). Art. IV, 1), Ballot title and summary: Attorney general (O.R.S. Ten states allow the legislature to alter or change measures without any time limits or supermajority requirements: Seven states have supermajority requirements for changing a measure (the other states require only a regular majority, although some enforce a time period). Const. Petition title and summary creation: Proponents submit a suggested popular name, to be approved or disapproved by the secretary of state (NMSA 1-17-9). 48, Init., Pt. Laws necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, Acts that become effective earlier than 90 days after the end of the session, Such laws as may be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety, or laws necessary for the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, Const. Who creates petitions: Sponsors (34 OS 1). For direct initiatives, signatures must be submitted by April 15 immediately before the next general election (U.C.A. If 20 % or more of signatures on any part are invalid, then the burden to prove the rest are valid falls on the sponsors (Ark. 34-1812c). Art. Art. Const. Rev. 19, 6). Petition sheets will always include space for signatures. 3, 4; Art. No statute found; used IR 124 (Nov. 2012) as a reference, The ballot title must be worded so that those in favor of retaining the measure shall vote retain, and those opposing the measure shall vote repeal., The question printed on the ballot must be: Shall the statute (setting out its title) be approved?, The ballot for voting on a referred act should bear the following instructions at the top: Instructions to voters. Stat. Missouri: The secretary of State will furnish ballot statements explaining the effects of a no or yes vote for the measure, which will include whether it will increase, decrease or maintain taxes. States have statutes covering conflicting or competing measures, the percent of the vote needed to pass a measure, and repeal or change restrictions. Registration is required before making an expenditure for or against a ballot measure. 1953 20A-7-207; 20A-7-209; 20A-6-107. South Dakota has a unique statute regarding pay: may pay based on hourly wage or salary, express or implied minimum signature requirements for the circulator to meet, may terminate someone's employment if they do not meet "certain productivity requirements," and may pay discretionary bonuses based on reliability, longevity, and productivity. (SDCL 12-13-28). All chief petitioners must sign the form to withdraw (O.R.S. 15, 273). 116.060). Where to file: Secretary of state (Const. Types allowed: Direct initiative for statute and constitutional amendment, and popular referendum, Single subject rule: Yes (Ne.Rev.St. Proponent organization and requirements: Must sign affidavit and must refile after recommendations (RCWA 29A.72.010; 43.07.120; 29A.72.020; 29A.72.040). Michigans constitution explicitly grants the legislature the power to amend laws approved by the people by referendum at any time (Const. Art. Art. Some states have what's called an indirect initiative process. Majority to pass: Majority and at least 35 % of the total votes cast in the entire election (Ne.Rev.St. Const. Less than 95 % accurate fails the petition, greater than 110 % qualifies, and between requires a check of every signature (Cal.Elec.Code 9030, 9031, 9033; Cal.Admin.Code 20530, 20531, 20532, 2054). 905 and 1 M.R.S.A. Circulator requirements: According to secretary of state's. 19, 1). No more than one-quarter of signatures may come from a single county, 5% in each of two-thirds of the congressional districts, 5% of the vote cast for governor at the preceding election from at least one-third of legislative districts, Neb. Who creates petitions: Secretary of state (ORC 3519.05(C)). Legislature may hold public hearings and must hold a committee hearing once 25 % of signatures are collected (Cal.Gov.Code 10243, 12172; Cal.Elec.Code 9007, 9034). 11 5, Idaho: I.C. 1. II, 1g; O.R.C. Then, select a topic from the column at the left for comprehensive information or select a state in the map for state-specific information. N.R.S. Const. Art. Law 6-207(c)). The referendum may be obligatory or optional. Cure period for insufficient signatures: If a petition is insufficient, a period of 20 days is allowed for correction (Const. Art. 19-101(A), Maryland: Const. Const. 3; 8). Signatures must be submitted no later than 18 months after the petition form was furnished by the secretary of state, and each signature is only valid for one year. Code Ann. Who can sign the petition: Registered electors of the state (Const. For constitutional amendments, generally take effect upon passage. Outer page of petition pamphlet includes warning to signers. Art. Art. Subject restrictions: No law that relates to religion, religious practices or religious institutions; or to the appointment, qualification, tenure, removal or compensation of judges; or to the powers, creation or abolition of courts; or the operation of which is restricted to a particular town, city or other political division or to particular districts or localities of the commonwealth; or that appropriates money for the current or ordinary expenses of the commonwealth or for any of its departments, boards, commissions or institutions shall be the subject of a referendum petition (Const. 54 53. 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. A groups name must include the title or common name of the measure if the group intends to direct more than 50% of its contributions or expenditures toward a single measure. 15, 273; Miss. A post-election report is due by Jan. 7. There is a 15-day cure period after a statement of insufficiency is issued by the secretary of state, and proponents may deliver additional signatures during this time. Repeal or change restrictions: For statutes, may be amended or repealed only by three-fourths of each house or by a vote of the electors. 3, 52(e) and Wyo. Const. Who can sign the petition: Qualified registered voter (W.S.1977 22-24-313). (IC 34-1803B). XLVII, Pt. Art. Amend. 116.060). A new, third level of content, designed specially to meet the advanced needs of the sophisticated scholar. Circulator oaths or affidavits: Yes (O.R.C. In Nevada, a constitutional amendment needs only a majority but must be approved in two consecutive elections (N.R.S. An amendment requires at least one-fourth of members support to get onto the ballot. (Const. They must also designate a committee of five to represent the proponents (O.R.C. Art. States may apply a single-subject rule or other restrictions. Fiscal statements are the most common type of review, giving estimates and analysis on the likely fiscal impact the proposed measure will have on the state. Proponent financial disclosure requirements: Must file a statement of formation as a political action committee within 10 days of formation (Wyo. 5, 1). Unclear; it seems likely that the same statement drafted by the secretary of state and approved by the attorney general for the petition also appears on the ballot, but this is not specified. Several states require two officials to write or review the title and/or summary, given their importance to a ballot measure. Art. Seven years (or two-thirds vote prior to seven years), Two years (or two-thirds vote prior to two years). 21 1; A.R.S. Paid per signature: Banned (U.C.A. General guidance as to format and contents can be found at NRS 32-1402. States have rules in place to govern what legislatures or governors can do to citizen initiatives once they pass. 22-25-101). 48, Pt. May remove no later than 120 days prior to the next general election and at least two-thirds of petition sponsors must sign the form. What is on each petition: Form is approved by secretary of state and attorney general and following rules established by secretary of state. Application process information: At least five sponsors must apply, each of whom is registered to vote in Utah. Who can sign the petition: Registered voters of the state (ACA 7-9-103). Collected in-person: In the circulator's presence (V.A.M.S. VI, Subpt. 116.17). NCSL summarizes the results of the Feb. 21, 2023, special elections in Kentucky, New Hampshire, Virginia and Wisconsin. 295.055). A recall is when a political committee petitions the electors of the state, county, city/town, or district to demand an officer be recalled based on a statement of grounds by the committee. An act referred to the people that was in effect at the time of the election and is approved by the people remains in effect. Const. Which election is a measure on: The next general election after signature petitions filed, a legislative session has convened and adjourned, and 120 days after the legislative session adjournment (W.S.1977 22-24-319). Circulator requirements: Legal voter (RCWA 29A.72.120). For three years, measures can only be proposed again by signatures totaling 25%of total votes cast for governor last election, and special rule for competing measures. This practice was first adopted by the state of Connecticut in 1818, and by the 20th century it had become the prevailing way of changing constitutions. Art. Direct democracy is the term we in government use to describe the ability of the voters to take matters into their own hands. For statutory initiatives, 7% of votes cast for governor in last election. Code Ann. Collected in-person: Yes (C.R.S.A. 15, 273 and Miss. Art. Designated representatives must, within 10 days of filing a completed petition, file a report containing information about paid circulators and any other expenditures made in relation to circulating petitions (CRS 1-40-121).