Referendum
Referendum
A referendum is the method by which voters may veto a law (or part of a law) by gathering signatures from registered voters to place the issue on the ballot.
The Arizona Constitution states, "the people reserve the power to . . . use at their own option, the power to approve or reject at the polls, any Act, or item, section, or part of any Act, of the Legislature". Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(1).
The person or organization putting forward the referendum must file signatures with the Arizona Secretary of State within 90 days of when the Legislature that enacted the House or Senate bill in question adjourns sine die (the date of adjournment of the legislative session in which the measure was passed) for the year. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(4). If enough valid signatures are submitted, the bill will be placed on the next general election ballot. A "yes" vote is a vote to allow the law to go into effect, while a "no" vote essentially constitutes a vote for a citizen veto preventing the referred bill from going into effect. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(10).
A Referendum Petition was filed with the Secretary of State's Office on September 23, 2022. See the 2022 Initiative and Referendum Guide in the side bar for further details on this process.
Petition | Valid Signatures from SOS Review | County Review Deadline | Estimated Valid After County Review | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
R-01-2022 H.B. 2853 Referral | 86,640 | n/a | n/a | Does Not Qualify for 2024 General Election ballot |
The individual or organization wishing to refer a measure to the ballot must either file a Statement of Organization using the Arizona Secretary of State's Campaign Finance Filing System or designate an existing (non-candidate) committee to act as the referendum's sponsor. The Secretary of State will not accept an application without an accompanying statement or designation. A.R.S. § 19-111(A).
Dates and Signature Requirements
Referendum Date and Signature Requirements for the 2024 Election Cycle: Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(3)-(4).
- Deadline for Submission: 90 days after the legislature adjourns Sine Die
- Signature Requirements for Referendum Petitions: 127,975
An individual or organization wishing to refer a measure to the ballot must submit an Application for Serial Number stating their intent to circulate a statewide referendum petition. A.R.S. § 19-111(A).. To complete the PDF application, please enter all required fields.
The Arizona Secretary of State's office will complete the remainder of the form and issue a unique serial number to be printed on the front and back of each petition sheet. The Secretary of State's office will also provide instructions regarding proper completion of the Statewide Referendum Petition form. A.R.S. § 19-111.
- At the time of submission, an Application for Serial Number must include the accompanying title and text of the measure to be referred. A.R.S. § 19-121(B).
- The minimum number of signatures required to refer a measure to the ballot is equal to 5% of the number of votes casted at the last gubernatorial election. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(3), (7).
- The deadline to file referendum petition signatures is no later than 90 days after sine die (the date of adjournment of the legislative session in which the measure was passed). Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(4).
Steps for Preparing a Referendum
- Form a political committee through the Arizona Secretary of State's online system 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 referendum 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. § 19-118(A).
- Submit circulated petitions to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office by the statutory deadline. Ariz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(3).
- 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 Arizona Secretary of State's Office is currently operating on an appointment-only basis. To schedule an appointment to file an Application for a Serial Number, please contact our office at [email protected]. Applications for Serial Number may also be submitted via email to the same address above or by mail to:
Secretary of State's Office
c/o Election Division
1700 W Washington St, 7th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85007