Initiative Petition Process

Timeline

Note: E.C. = CA Elections Code

Action Who Timeframe References
File Notice of Intent
Written text of the initiative.
Written statement setting forth reasons for petition not to exceed 500 words.
Signed by at least one, no more than three, proponents.
Submit $200 filing fee.
File request for ballot title and summary of the measure.		 Proponent Start E.C. 9202
Transmit proposed measure to City Attorney. City Clerk Immediately E.C. 9203(a)
Prepare ballot title and measure summary and return to City Clerk. - 500 words or less City Attorney Within 15 days "after" the proposed measure was filed. E.C. 9203(b)
Provide a copy of the ballot title and summary to proponents. City Clerk Immediately after receipt from City Attorney. E.C. 9203(b)
Publish notice of intent, ballot title, and measure summary in an adjudicated newspaper of general circulation Proponent After receipt from City Clerk. E.C. 9205(a)
File a copy of the official affidavit of publication with the City Clerk. Proponent Within 10 days “after” date of publication. E.C. 9206
Circulation of petitions may commence after publication. Proponent After publication. E.C. 9207
Petitions are filed 180 “after” receipt of the ballot title and summary by proponents from the City Clerk. Proponent 180-day count starts after” proponents receipt of ballot title
and summary.		 E.C. 9208
Signed petitions are filed with City Clerk. Proponent No later than 180 days E.C. 9210
Prima facie review is conducted by the City Clerk with preliminary signature count and petition deemed accepted or rejected. City Clerk 1 – 2 days E.C. 9210
Petition forwarded to County Elections for validation if accepted. Registrar 30 business days E.C. 9114 or
E.C. 9115
The clerk receives a certificate from County Elections, and if sufficient, report agendized for Council approval of the certificate of sufficiency.
Council either orders placement of issue on ballot; or Council orders report of impact (consideration taken after the report is received by Council).		 City Clerk 7-14 days after County provides report to Clerk, must be agendized
at the next Regular Council meeting.		 E.C. 9214 or
E.C. 9215
If ordered, the Clerk agendizes reports calling the election, requesting election services, establishing argument authors, and directing impartial analysis. City Clerk 7 days after Council approval of sufficiency. Maybe longer if Council orders report on effect. E.C. 1405
E.C. 10403
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