Model City Charter Revision Project - Eighth Edition
Option Memo
Issue: Initiative and Referendum - Signature Requirement
Seventh Edition: Appendix II says "Initiative and Referendum
petitions must be signed by registered voters of the city equal in number
to at least 15 percent of the total number of registered voters registered
to vote at the last regular election." According to the Initiative
and Referendum Institute, this is a steep requirement.
Pros of Lowering the Initiative and Referendum Signature Requirement:
Procedural requirements such as signature thresholds should screen out
frivolous petitions without unduly burdening the petitioners. The Initiative
and Referendum Institute says that 15% of registered voters is burdensome,
and suggests tying the local signature requirement to the nationwide
state average of 8% of voters who voted in the most recent election,
either in total or for a particular office.
Cons of Lowering the Initiative and Referendum Signature Requirement:
A lower threshold for signatures may result in petitions on the ballot
that lack popular support.
Two Options: The Committee should adopt one of the following
positions by the end of the March 22 meeting:
- The signature requirement should be changed from 15% of registered
city voters to 8% of voters who voted in the last election.
- The signature requirement should remain the same.
|