Washington, D.C. signature requirements
Signature requirements in theDistrict of Columbia are based on percentages of the number of registered voters. Washington, D.C. allowsinitiative,referendum, andrecall.
The supporters of an initiative have 180 days to gather signatures from the time the language for their initiative is approved by theWashington, D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics. Supporters of aveto referendum are required to collect their signatures before the end of the Congressional Review Period.
Method of calculating signatures
- Forinitiative orreferendum, signatures must equal at least 5% of the number of registered voters in the municipality. This number is based on an official count, issued 30 days before the submission of signatures.
Distribution requirement
- See also:Distribution requirement
- Signatures must be distributed throughout DC's eight wards, so that 5% of the registered voters in at least 5 of the 8 wards sign the petition.
Recall
- Signatures must equal10% of registered voters in election district that the officer to be recalled represents (citywide, ward, orANC(dead link)). This figure is determined by published results 30 days before submission of signatures.
- In acitywiderecall, signatures must be equal to10% of voters in5 of the city's 8 election wardsin addition to gathering the10% citywide.
External links
- Initiativeand Referendum links at the District of Columbia's official web site
- Process for qualifying an initiative or referendum in Washington, D.C.
- Campaign finance requirements for ballot measures in Washington, D.C.
- Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC)(dead link)
- Recall Process in the District of Columbia
- Guide to Initiative and Referendum
