 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
initiatives; referendums; signature requirements; counties
Purpose
Subject to voter approval, constitutionally requires initiatives, constitutional amendments and referendums to be approved by a sufficient percentage of qualified electors from each county, rather than a sufficient percentage of qualified electors from the state, in order to be placed on the ballot.
Background
The Arizona Constitution grants the people the power to: 1) propose laws and amendments to the Arizona Constitution; 2) enact or reject laws and amendments at the polls, independent of the Legislature; and 3) approve or reject any item, section or part of any act of the Legislature at the polls. Amendments to the Arizona Constitution and the Arizona Revised Statutes may be proposed in either legislative chamber or by initiative power. The initiative power requires 10 percent of qualified electors in Arizona to propose a measure that amends state law, and 15 percent of qualified electors in Arizona to propose an amendment to the Arizona Constitution. Likewise, the referendum power requires 5 percent of the qualified electors in Arizona to refer any measure enacted by the Legislature to the ballot. When a proposed amendment is approved by a majority of each legislative chamber or when an initiative petition is filed with the Secretary of State (SOS), the SOS must submit the proposed amendment to a vote of the people at the next general election. Any initiative measure or referendum becomes law when approved by a majority of votes cast and upon proclamation of the Governor (Ariz. Const. art. 4, pt.1, § 1 and art. 21, § 1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires initiatives for statewide measures to be approved by 10 percent of the qualified electors from each county, rather than 10 percent of qualified electors in the state, in order to be placed on the ballot.
2. Requires proposed amendments to the Arizona Constitution to be approved by 15 percent of the qualified electors from each county, rather than 15 percent of the qualified electors of the state, in order to be placed on the ballot.
3. Requires statewide referendums to be approved by 5 percent of the qualified electors from each county, rather than 5 percent of the qualified electors of the state, in order to be placed on the ballot.
4. Makes technical changes.
5. Requires the SOS to submit the proposition to the voters at the next general election.
6. Becomes effective if approved by the voters and on proclamation of the Governor.
House Action
GOV 2/20/25 DP 4-3-0-0
3rd Read 3/5/25 32-26-2-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 17, 2025
ZD/ci