Initiatives
Initiative
An initiative is the method by which voters may propose new laws or amend existing laws by gathering signatures from registered voters to place the issue on the ballot.
The Constitution of Arizona provides voters with the ability to propose new laws or constitutional amendments through the initiative process. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(2).
The person or organization putting forward the initiative must file these signatures with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office at least four months prior to the next general election. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(4). If enough valid signatures are submitted, the proposed statutory or constitutional amendment will be placed on the next general election ballot. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(1). A “yes” vote is a vote for enacting the new law or constitutional amendment, while a “no” vote is a vote for retaining existing law. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(10).
The Arizona Constitution requires valid signatures from 15% of qualified electors to place an initiative proposing a constitutional amendment on the ballot and valid signatures from 10% of qualified electors to place an initiative proposing a statutory amendment on the ballot. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(2).
Dates and Signature Requirements
Initiative Date and Signature Requirements for the 2024 Election Cycle (Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(2), (4)):
- Initiative petitions must be filed by: July 3, 2024
- Signature Requirements for Constitutional Amendment: 383,923
- Signature Requirements for Statutory Initiative Measures: 255,949
Steps for Preparing an Initiative
- Form a political committee through the Arizona Secretary of State's online system, Beacon, or be prepared to designate an existing (non-candidate) political committee to act as the petition sponsor.A.R.S. § 19-111(A).
- File an Application for Serial Number with the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.A.R.S. § 19-111(A).
- Acquire the appropriate initiative petition from the Arizona Secretary of State's Office
- Ensure any paid or out-of-state circulators have registered with the Arizona Secretary of State's Office.A.R.S. § 19-118(A).
- Circulate petitions and obtain signatures from eligible voters.A.R.S. § 19-112(A).
- Submit circulated petitions to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office by the deadline.Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(4)
- The Secretary of State and applicable County Recorders will process the petitions and determine whether enough signatures were gathered to place the measure on the ballot.A.R.S. §§ 19-121.01; 19 -121.02.
The 2024 Initiative Filing Deadline is July 3, 2024. More information will be available after the 2024 Initiative Filing Deadline; please check back after deadline.
The 2024 Initiative Filing Deadline is July 3, 2024. More information will be available after the 2024 Initiative Filing Deadline; please check back after deadline.
The Ballot Measure Argument Portal will open for submissions from May 20, 2024 at 12:00 pm – July 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm.