House of Representatives

HCR 2012

initiative and referendum; process

Sponsors: Representatives McClure, Blendu, Cooley, Chase

X	Committee on Judiciary
	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

HCR 2012 puts before the voters changes to the Arizona Constitution with regard to the manner in which signatures must be collected to commence the initiative and referendum processes. A strike-everything amendment has been drafted for consideration. The history and provisions follow.

History

Currently, the Arizona Constitution provides that an individual or group must obtain the number of valid voter signatures that is equal to a certain percentage of votes cast for all candidates for governor in the last gubernatorial election. The percentages needed to qualify for the ballot are as follows: five per cent for referendum petitions against an act of the legislature, ten per cent for initiative petitions to amend statute and fifteen per cent for initiative petitions to amend the constitution.

Provisions

· Requires individuals or groups who are petitioning to put a referendum or initiative on the ballot, to gather five, ten or fifteen percent of the total number of votes cast for all candidates for governor in the last gubernatorial election within at least five counties.

· Stipulates that the total number of signatures gathered must still meet the previous standard of a certain percentage of the whole number of votes cast for governor throughout the state.

· Requires the Secretary of State to submit the amendment to the voters at the next general election.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

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· 45th Legislature

· First Regular Session 2 March 5, 2001

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