Ballot Qualifications & Schedule
Date Initiative language can be submitted: For
amendments, no sooner than early September 2009 for 2010 ballot. For
statutes, no sooner than early January 2009 for 2010 ballot.
Signatures are tied to vote of which office: Votes cast in the last general
election.
Next general election: 2010
Votes cast in last general election: 970,020
Net number of signatures required: For statutes and amendments, 10% of
the total votes cast at the last general election. (97,002 signatures.) If the
measure is a statute and enough valid signatures have been gathered,
the Secretary of State transmits the petition to the legislature as soon as
the legislature convenes. The Legislature has 40 days to enact or reject it.
If the proposed statute is enacted by the legislature and approved by the
Governor, it shall become law. If rejected, the Secretary of State submits
the question of approval or disapproval of the statute to a vote at the
next general election. If the measure is an amendment and enough valid
signatures have been gathered, the Secretary of State submits the
question of approval or disapproval the amendment to a vote at the next
general election.
Distribution Requirement: 10% of total number of votes cast in the last
general election in at least 13 out of the 17 counties.
Circulation period: 10 months for statutes, 11 months for constitutional
amendments.
Do circulators have to be residents: Yes
Date when signatures are due for certification: For amendment, 90 days
prior to the election. For statutes, 30 days prior
to the convening of the legislature.
Signature verification process: Random Sampling
Single-subject restriction: No
Legislative tampering: Legislature can only repeal or amend after three
years of enactment.
Excerpted from the Initiative & Referendum Almanac by M. Dane Waters.