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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, First Regular Session
ballot measures; 200-word description
Purpose
Increases, from 100 to 200 words, the length of an initiative or referendum description included on initiative and referendum petitions.
Background
Statute outlines the form and contents of initiative and referendum petitions. Initiative and referendum petitions must include a 100-word description along with the full title and text of the initiative or referendum (A.R.S. §§ 19-101 and 19-102).
Constitutional and statutory requirements for statewide initiative measures must be strictly construed and persons using the initiative process must strictly comply with constitutional and statutory requirements. The Secretary of State must make a sample initiative petition available that strictly complies with statutory requirements for petitions (A.R.S. § 19-102.01). In Laws 2015, Ch. 285, the Legislature statutorily declared its intent that the constitutional and statutory requirements for referendums be strictly construed and that persons using the referendum process strictly comply with constitutional and statutory requirements (A.R.S. § 19-101.1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Increases, from 100 to 200 words, the length of an initiative or referendum description printed on the initiative or referendum petitions.
2. Makes technical changes.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
January 27, 2021
MH/HF/gs