This material is provided as a guide to the process. A person or organization seeking to initiate a referendum or initiative petition is responsible for complying with all legal and procedural requirements. The assistance of a qualified attorney may be necessary or helpful in complying with these requirements.
Initiative
Initiative is the power to propose new legislation. To place an initiative on the ballot, the circulating committee must submit a minimum a certain number of valid signatures to the City Clerk's Office.
Referendum
Referendum is the power to reject or overturn legislative actions taken by the Council. A referendum petition with a certain minimum number of valid signatures must be filed within 30 days after the Council action. The ordinance is suspended from becoming effective pending the outcome of the election.
Recall
Recall is the power to remove an elected official from office. If a petition with the required number of valid signatures is filed, the officer may resign or run for retention at a special election.
Initiative and Referendum Signature Requirements***
| Initiative petition requires: | 25,887 |
| Referendum petition requires: | 15,353 |
Recall Signature Requirements
Mayor recall** petition requires: Mayor David D. Ortega | 34,759 |
City Council recall*** petition requires: Tammy Caputi, Tom Durham, Barry Graham*, Betty Janik, Kathy Littlefield, and Solange Whitehead | 20,301 |
* Recall petitions may not be circulated against an officer until the officer has served 6 (six) months of his or her first term (Arizona State Constitution, Article VIII, Part 1, Section 5).
** Based on the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election canvass.
*** Based on the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election canvass.