Types of Petitions

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• State

  Initiative: A state initiative is the power of the people of California to propose statutes and amendments to the California Constitution. Generally, any matter that is a proper subject of legislation can become an initiative measure. There are two types of state initiatives: An Initiative Statute and Initiative Constitutional Amendment. The initial steps for a state initiative are handled through the Attorney General and Secretary of State. The initiative petition is filed with the county elections official for the county in which the petitions were circulated, after being signed by not less than the number of voters specified.

  Referendum: A state referendum is the power of the people to approve or reject statutes enacted by the Legislature. A proponent of a referendum has only 90 days from the enactment of the legislation to request a “Title and Summary” from the Attorney General. The petitions must be filed with the county elections official for the county in which the petitions were circulated, after being signed by not less than the number of voters specified.

  Recall: A state recall petition is the power of the voters, provided in the State Constitution, to remove elected officials from office before their terms expire. It has been a fundamental part of our government system since 1911, and has been used by voters to express their dissatisfaction with their elected officials. The initial steps for a state recall are handled through the Secretary of State’s office. The recall petition is filed with the county elections official for the county in which the petitions were circulated after being signed by not less than the number of voters specified.

• County

  Initiative: A county initiative is the power of the people to propose a new ordinance by which they will be governed. The proposed ordinance may be submitted to the Board of Supervisors of the county by a petition filed with the Registrar of Voters office, after being signed by not less than the number of voters specified.

  Referendum: A county referendum is a petition protesting the adoption of an ordinance by the Board of Supervisors. It must be filed with the Registrar of Voters office prior to the effective date of the ordinance.

  Recall: A county recall petition is the power of the voters, provided in the State Constitution, to remove elected officials from office before their terms expire. It has been a fundamental part of our government system since 1911, and has been used by voters to express their dissatisfaction with their elected officials. A county recall petition must be filed with the Registrar of Voters office.

• City

  Municipal Initiative: A municipal initiative is the power of the people to propose a new ordinance by which to be governed. The proposed ordinance may be submitted to the City Council by a petition filed with the City Clerk, after being signed by not less than the number of voters specified.

  Municipal Referendum: A municipal referendum is a petition protesting the adoption of an ordinance passed by the City Council. The petition must be submitted to the City Clerk of the city within 30 days of the date the adopted ordinance would become effective.

  Municipal Recall: A municipal recall petition is the power of the voters, provided in the State Constitution, to remove elected officials from office before their terms expire. It has been a fundamental part of our government system since 1911, and has been used by voters to express their dissatisfaction with their elected officials. A municipal recall petition must be filed with the City Clerk.

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• School Districts

  Protesting the Appointment to Fill a Vacancy: To challenge a district appointment to fill a vacancy on a school district governing board, a petition may be circulated calling for a special election to fill the vacancy rather than the appointment becoming effective. The petition must be filed with the County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days of the date of the provisional appointment.

  Recall: A school district recall petition is the power of the voters, provided in the State Constitution, to remove elected officials from office before their terms expire. It has been a fundamental part of our government system since 1911, and has been used by voters to express their dissatisfaction with their elected officials. A school district recall petition must be filed with the Registrar of Voters office of the county in which the school district is located.

• Special Districts

  Initiative: A special district initiative is the power of the people to propose a new ordinance by which they will be governed. The proposed ordinance may be submitted to the special district governing board by a petition filed with the Registrar of Voters office of the county in which the special district is located, after being signed by not less than the number of voters specified.

  Referendum: A special district referendum is the power of the people to protest legislative acts of the district. It must be submitted to the governing board of the district by filing a petition with the Registrar of Voters office prior to the effective date of the district’s action.

  Recall: A special district recall petition is the power of the voters, provided in the State Constitution, to remove elected officials from office before their terms expire. It has been a fundamental part of our government system since 1911, and has been used by voters to express their dissatisfaction with their elected officials. A special district recall petition must be filed with the Registrar of Voters office of the county in which the special district is located.