State Petitions

State Initiative Petitions

The initiative process gives direct legislative power to the voters to enact new laws, change existing laws or amend the Oregon Constitution.

Any person, acting individually or on behalf of an organization, may become a chief petitioner of an initiative petition. The chief petitioners are the individuals who sponsor the initiative. An initiative may have up to three chief petitioners.

To qualify an initiative for the next regularly scheduled General Election, chief petitioners must first receive written approval from the Secretary of State to circulate cover and signature sheets in order to collect the signatures of active registered voters.

Next, the chief petitioners must obtain the necessary number of valid signatures and submit them to the Secretary of State not later than four months prior to the date of the next regularly scheduled General Election.

For a full explanation of the initiative petition procedure, consult the State Initiative and Referendum Manual. Failure to follow the instructions in the manual will invalidate the petition or delay receiving written approval to circulate

State Referendum Petitions

Oregon’s referendum process allows voters to approve or reject legislation adopted by the Oregon Legislature. The only Acts exempt from a referendum are emergency laws.

Any person, acting individually or on behalf of an organization, may become the chief petitioner, the sponsor of the referendum. A referendum may have up to three chief petitioners.

To place a referendum petition on the ballot, the chief petitioners must receive written approval from the Secretary of State to circulate the petition.

The chief petitioners must also submit the required number of valid signatures no later than 90 days after the legislature adjourns.

State Initiative and Referendum Manual
Circulator Training
Frequently asked questions about circulating petitions

Forms

SEL 222: Statement of Organization for Petition Committee
SEL 223: Campaign Account Information
SEL 301: Statement One or More/No Petition Circulators Will Be Paid
SEL 307: Agent Authorization Form
SEL 310: Prospective Petition for State Measure
SEL 375: Withdrawal of Initiative or Referendum Petition

County Petitions

County Initiative Petitions

The initiative process gives direct legislative power to the voters to enact new laws, change existing laws or amend the Oregon Constitution.

A prospective initiative petition consist of the text of the proposed county charter or ordinance, or an amendment to an existing county charter or ordinance, as well as the required forms that must be completed before filing the prospective initiative petition with the county elections official.

County charter or ordinance requirements may supersede certain state statutes, except for the statutory form and ballot title requirements and other mandatory state laws.

Review the requirements with the county elections office before filing the prospective petition.

County Referendum Petitions

Oregon’s referendum process allows voters to approve or reject legislation adopted by the County governing body. The only Acts exempt from a referendum are emergency laws.

Any person, acting individually or on behalf of an organization, may become the chief petitioner, the sponsor of the referendum. A referendum may have up to three chief petitioners.

A prospective referendum petition consists of the text of the ordinance or other legislative enactment adopted by the county governing body, as well as the required forms that must be completed before filing the prospective petition with the county elections official.

A referendum petition may be filed on an entire or a part of an ordinance or other legislative enactment.
County charter or ordinance requirements may supersede certain state statutes, except for the statutory form and ballot title requirements and other mandatory state laws.

Review the requirements with the county elections office before filing the prospective petition.

County, City and District Initiative and Referendum Manual

Forms

SEL 222: Statement of Organization for Petition Committee
SEL 223: Campaign Account Information
SEL 301: Statement One or More/No Petition Circulators Will Be Paid (Initiative/Referendum only)
SEL 307: Agent Authorization Form
SEL 370: Prospective Petition for Local Measure
SEL 371: Petition for Local Initiative/Referendum Measure Signature Sheet (no circulators for this petition are being paid)
SEL 373: Petition for Local Initiative/Referendum Measure Signature Sheet (some circulators for this petition are being paid)
SEL 375: Withdrawal of Initiative or Referendum Petition

City Petitions

City Initiative Petitions

The initiative process gives direct legislative power to the voters to enact new laws, change existing laws or amend the Oregon Constitution.

A prospective initiative petition consist of the text of the proposed city charter or ordinance, or an amendment to an existing city charter or ordinance, as well as the required forms that must be completed before filing the prospective initiative petition with the city elections official.

City charter or ordinance requirements may supersede certain state statutes, except for the statutory form and ballot title requirements and other mandatory state laws.

Review the requirements with the county elections office before filing the prospective petition.

City Referendum Petitions

Oregon’s referendum process allows voters to approve or reject legislation adopted by the Oregon Legislature. The only Acts exempt from a referendum are emergency laws.

Any person, acting individually or on behalf of an organization, may become the chief petitioner, the sponsor of the referendum. A referendum may have up to three chief petitioners.

Review the requirements with the county elections office before filing the prospective petition.

County, City and District Initiative and Referendum Manual