Signature distribution requirements for ballot initiatives
From Ballotpedia
A signature distribution requirement, also known as a geographic signature requirement, is a law that provides that ballot initiative petitions must be signed by voters from multiple political subdivisions, such as counties or legislative districts, in order for the initiative to qualify for the ballot.
Of the 26 states that provide for statewide citizen-initiated ballot measures, 16 states require signature distribution requirements.
- Seven states have distribution requirements based on counties;
- Five state have distribution requirements based on state legislative districts; and
- Four states have distribution requirements based on congressional districts.
Washington, D.C., as well as some cities throughout the U.S., also have distribution requirements for local citizen-initiated ballot measures, which are often based on ward districts.
HIGHLIGHTS
Requirements by state
Sixteen (16) states require signature distribution requirements for initiatives and referendums, including:
- Seven states with distribution requirements based on counties;
- Five state with distribution requirements based on state legislative districts; and
- Four states with distribution requirements based on congressional districts.
Ten (10) states with an initiative and referendum process do not have signature distribution requirements. The following map provides information on initiative signature distribution requirements:
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Mississippi Supreme Court, "In Re Initiative Measure No. 65: Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler V Michael Watson, in His Official Capacity as Secretary of State for the State of Mississippi," May 14, 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 In Mississippi, the distribution requirement is based on five congressional districts. However, Mississippi has four congressional districts, meaning it's not possible for campaigns to collect the required number of signatures.
- ↑ Arizona State Legislature, "SCR1015," accessed June 13, 2023
- ↑ Arkansas State Legislature, "House Bill 1027," accessed July 12, 2023
- ↑ Ohio State Legislature, "Senate Joint Resolution 2," accessed May 16, 2023
- ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1110," accessed June 20, 2023
- ↑ Boise State Public Radio, "Idaho Supreme Court Strikes Down New Ballot Initiative Restrictions," August 23, 2021
- ↑ Arkansas State Legislature, "House Joint Resolution 1008," accessed June 23, 2023
- ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "Senate Bill 1159," accessed June 29, 2023
- ↑ Idaho State Legislature, "House Bill 296," accessed June 29, 2023
- ↑ Montana State Legislature, "House Bill 244," accessed June 27, 2023
- ↑ Montana State Legislature, "House Bill 245," accessed June 27, 2023
- ↑ Michigan State Legislature, "House Bill 6595," accessed June 28, 2023
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, "Eggers v. Evnen," August 31, 2022
- ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, "ACLU v. Lomax," July 26, 2006
- ↑ U.S. District Court for Montana, "Montana PIRG v. Johnson," March 28, 2005
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, "Idaho Coalition United for Bears v. Cenarrusa," September 8, 2003
- ↑ Utah Supreme Court, "Gallivan v. Walker," August 26, 2002
- ↑ U.S. Supreme Court, "Moore v. Ogilvie," May 5, 1969
- ↑ Michigan Supreme Court, "League of Women Voters of Michigan v. Secretary of State," January 24, 2022
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Idaho Supreme Court, "Reclaim Idaho v. Denney," August 23, 2021
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, "Semple v. Griswold," August 20, 2019
- ↑ United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, "Brief of the States of Arkansas, Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and West Virginia as Amici Curiae Supporting Defendant-Appellant," July 27, 2022
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Initiative and Referendum Task Force," accessed July 24, 2023
- ↑ University of Arkansas Extension, "Legislators Propose Requiring Ballot Issue Petitions from 50 Counties," March 2, 2023
- ↑ Ellis, Richard J. 2003. "Signature Gathering in the Initiative Process: How Democratic Is It?" Montana Law Review 84 (1): 35-63.