California signature requirements
From Ballotpedia
California signature requirements, as with many states, depend on the number of votes cast for governor in the previous general election. The number of signatures for an initiative and a referendum are the same, whereas a constitutional amendment will require a larger number. Because of California's large population, the total number of signatures required for any method are the highest in the country. The current totals required are as followed:
Signature requirements
| Year | Signatures required for a constitutional amendment | Signatures required for an initiated statute | Signatures required for a veto referendum | Signatures required for recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 694,354 | 433,971 | 433,971 | - |
| 1998 | 693,230[1] | 433,269 | 433,269 | - |
Basis of calculation
- California requires that the number of signatures collected for statutory initiative' and veto referendum are equal 5% of votes cast for all candidates for governor in the last election.
- Signatures for a constitutional amendment must be equal to 8% of votes cast for governor.
Recall
- For recall, there must be a filing of a notice-of-intent-to-recall petition signed by 65 voters.
Once the actual petition is circulated, signatures must equal 12% (20% for state legislators) of the last vote for the offical being recalled, including voters from each of five counties equal in number to 1% of the last vote for the office in that county.
See also
References
- How to Qualify an Initiative from the Secretary of State
- NCSL signature chart for 2008
- Recall in California from Berkeley.edu
- I&R Petition Signature Requirements from the California Secretary of State
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