Signature requirements

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Signature requirements to qualify a candidate, initiative, referendum or recall for the ballot are generally set by a constitutional amendment, in those states that allow any type of direct democracy where signatures are required to gain access to the ballot.

There are different aspects to signature requirements. These include:

The absolute number of valid signatures that must be collected.
When signatures must be submitted to election authorities.
Different features of specific signatures that must be in place for a signature to count as a valid signature.
The form of the petition on which signatures are collected.
When someone signs all petitions that a circulator has, that is considered a set of signatures.
Where and how signatures can be solicited.
Laws governing the permissible nature of the interaction between a voter and a petition circulator.

Signature requirements, by state

Alaska signature requirements

The number of signatures required is based on the total number of votes cast in the last general election. For both initiatives and referendums, signatures equal to 10% of these votes are required.

Year	Initiated statute	Veto referendum
2014	30,169	30,169
2012	25,875	25,875
2010	32,734	32,734
2008	23,831	23,831

See law: Alaska Statues, Sec. 15.45.140

Arizona signature requirements

The number of signatures required to qualify an initiative for the ballot is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of Arizona governor in the most recent gubernatorial election. The number of signatures to qualify a statute is 10% of votes cast for governor and 15% to qualify a constitutional amendment. The number of signatures required to qualify a veto referendum is 5% of votes cast for governor.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	259,213	172,809	86,405
2012	259,213	172,809	86,405
2010	230,047	153,365	76,682
2008	230,047	153,365	76,682

See law: Arizona Constitution, Article IV, Part 1, Section 1, ¶ 2-3, 7

Arkansas signature requirements

Signature requirements in Arkansas differ between statutory initiatives, constitutional amendments, and veto referendums. For an initiated constitutional amendment, signatures equal to at least 10% of the total number of votes cast for the office of governor in the last gubernatorial election are required. For an initiated state statute, signatures equal to at least 8% of this total are required. For veto referendums, signatures equal to at least 6% of this total are required.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	78,133	62,507	46,880
2012	78,133	62,507	46,880
2010	77,468	61,974	46,481
2008	77,468	61,974	46,481

See law: Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, Section 1

California signature requirements

In California, the number of signatures needed to qualify a measure for the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the office of Governor. For initiated constitutional amendments, petitioners must collect signatures equal to 8% of the most recent gubernatorial vote. To place a statute or veto referendum on the ballot, signatures equal to 5% of this vote are required.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2011-2014	807,615	504,760	504,760
2007-2010	694,354	433,971	433,971
2003-2006	598,105	373,816	373,816
1999-2002	670,816	419,260	419,260
1995-1998	693,230	433,269	433,269
1991-1994	615,958	384,974	384,974
1987-1990	595,485	372,178	372,178
1983-1986	630,135	393,835	393,835
1979-1982	553,790	346,119	346,119
1975-1978	499,846	312,404	312,404
1971-1974	520,806	325,504	325,504

See law: California Constitution, Article II, Section 8 (b)

Colorado signature requirements

The number of signatures required for a successful petition is equal to 5% of the total number of votes cast for the office of Secretary of State in the preceding general election. The same number of signatures is required for constitutional amendments, statutes, and referendums.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	86,105	86,105	86,105
2013	86,105	86,105	86,105
2012	86,105	86,105	86,105
2010	76,047	76,047	76,047
2008	76,047	76,047	76,047

See law: Colorado Constitution, Article V, Section 1, ¶ 2

Florida signature requirements

To place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, proponents must collect signatures equal to 8% of the total number of votes cast in the last Presidential election. To place a call for a constitutional convention on the ballot, proponents must collect signatures equal 15% of that total.

Year	Amendment	Convention
2014	677,934	1,271,127
2012	676,811	1,267,449
2010	676,811	1,267,449
2008	611,009	1,145,642

See law: Florida Constitution, Article XI, Section 3-4

Idaho signature requirements

The number of signatures required is equal to 6% of the registered voters as of the last general election.

Year	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	53,751	53,751
2012	47,432	47,432
2010	51,712	51,712
2008	45,893	45,893

See law: Idaho Statutes, Title 34, Chapter 18, Section 34-1805

Illinois signature requirements

The signature requirement for constitutional amendments is 8% of the total votes cast for Governor in the last election.

Year	Amendment
2014	298,399
2012	298,399
2010	278,934
2008	279,039

See law: Illinois Constitution, Article XIV, Section 3

Maine signature requirements

The required number of valid signatures for both statewide initiatives and referendums are the same. It is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of the Governor of Maine in the most recent gubernatorial election. Gubernatorial elections are held in Maine every four years. The requirement is 10% of the total votes cast for governor (excluding blanks) in the most recent election (2010) as established in Article 4, Part Third, Section 18, sub-section 2 of the Maine Constitution.^[1]^[2]

Year	Initiated statute	Veto referendum
2013	57,277	57,277
2012	57,277	57,277
2011	57,277	57,277
2010	55,087	55,087
2008	55,087	55,087

See law: Maine Constitution, Article IV, Part 3, Section 18

Maryland signature requirements

For a referendum on a statewide law: signatures must equal 3% of votes cast for governor in the most recent election. For a referendum on a local law, signatures must equal 10% of votes for governor in the affected jurisdiction.

Year	Referendum
2014	55,736
2012	55,736

Massachusetts signature requirements

Since Massachusetts employs an indirect initiative process, the General Court has an opportunity to adopt proposed laws and amendments before they move to a popular vote. However, unlike other states, Massachusetts requires additional signatures following legislative inaction.

For an amendment or statute, signatures must equal 3% of votes cast for governor in the most recent election (excluding blanks). If the legislature declines to act on a proposed statute, supporters are required to collect a second round of signatures totaling 0.5% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election (excluding blanks). For proposed amendments, one-quarter of the legislature must approve the petition in a joint session -- a second round of signatures is not required.

For a veto referendum, signatures must equal 1.5% of the total votes cast for governor in the most recent election. No more than one-fourth of these certified signatures may come from any one county. If the petitioners request suspension of the law in writing, signatures are required totaling 2% of the total votes cast for governor in the last election.

Year	Amendment or Statute	Statute add-on	Veto referendum	Veto referendum (suspension of law)
2014	68,911	11,485	34,456	45,941
2012	68,911	11,485	34,456	45,941
2010	66,593	11,099	33,297	44,396
2008	66,593	11,099	33,297	44,396

See law: Massachusetts Constitution, Article XLVIII, Parts IV-V & Article LXXXI, Section 2

Michigan signature requirements

Michigan's signature requirements are tied to the total number of votes cast for the office of Governor at the last election. For statutes, signatures equaling 8% of this total are required. For amendments, 10% are required. For veto referenda, 5% are required.

Year	Initiated amendment	Initiated statute	Veto referendum
2014	322,609	258,087	161,304
2012	322,609	258,087	161,304
2010	382,129	305,703	191,065
2008	380,126	304,101	190,063

See law: Michigan Constitution, Article II, Section 9 & Article XII, Section 2

Mississippi signature requirements

According to Mississippi law, the number of signatures collected must be equal to at least 12% of the total number of votes cast for Governor in the last gubernatorial general election.^[3]

Year	Initiated constitutional amendment
2013	107,216
2012	107,216
2008	89,285
2004	107,338

See law: Mississippi Constitution, Article XV, Section 273 (3)

Missouri signature requirements

The signature requirement total is based on the number of votes cast for governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. In 2/3 of Missouri's congressional districts, proponents must collect signatures equal to 5% of the gubernatorial vote for initiated statutes and 8% of the gubernatorial vote for constitutional amendments. Thus, the total number of signatures required will be less than 5% (or 8%) of the total votes cast for governor.

Until the next gubernatorial election, the minimum number of signatures required (counting the six lowest voting districts) is 146,907 for amendments and 91,818 for statutes.^[4]

Congressional district	2008 gubernatorial vote	Rank (among districts)	Statute	Amendment
1st	301,597	8	15,080	24,128
2nd	382,957	1	19,148	30,637
3rd	312,172	5	15,609	24,974
4th	306,260	7	15,313	24,501
5th	311,686	6	15,585	24,935
6th	330,826	2	16,542	26,467
7th	325,991	4	16,300	26,080
8th	278,604	9	13,931	22,289
9th	328,315	3	16,416	26,266

See law: Missouri Constitution, Article III, Section 50 & 53

Montana signature requirements

The number of signatures required to qualify a measure for the ballot is tied to how many votes were cast in the last gubernatorial election. To place a constitutional amendment on the ballot, proponents must collect 10% of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial general election. For a new state statute or veto referendum, 5% of votes cast for governor in the most recent gubernatorial election are required.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	48,349	24,174	24,174
2012	48,673	24,337	24,337
2010	48,673	24,337	24,337
2008	44,615	22,308	22,308

See law: Montana Constitution, Article III, Section 4 & Article XIV, Sections 9

Nebraska signature requirements

In Nebraska, the number of required signatures is tied to the number of registered voters in the state as of the statutory deadline for filing signatures. Nebraska is the only state where the number of required signatures is tied directly to the number of registered voters. Most states tie their calculation to how many people actually voted for governor (or some other statewide office) in the most recent election. Because of this unique policy, Nebraska is also the only state where petition sponsors cannot know the exact number of signatures required until the day these signatures are filed.

For proposed statutes, the number required is 7% of registered voters. For amendments, the number required is 10% of registered voters. The Nebraska Constitution provides for two distinct types of referendum. In the first type, the law is referred to ballot but remains in effect until the vote--this requires signatures from 5% of registered voters. In the second, the law is referred to the ballot and suspended until voters have weighed in--this requires signatures from 10% of registered voters. Most states only feature the latter type of veto referendum.

See law: Nebraska Constitution, Article III, Sections 2 & 3

Nevada signature requirements

Proponents must collect signatures equal to 10% of the total votes cast in last general election. Nevada does not require a higher percentage for constitutional amendments than it requires for statutory initiatives, veto referendums, or statute affirmations.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum	Statute affirmation
2014	101,666	101,666	101,666	101,666
2012	72,352	72,352	72,352	72,352
2010	97,002	97,002	97,002	97,002
2008	58,627	58,627	58,627	58,627

See law: Nevada Constitution, Article 19, Sections 2 & 3

New Mexico signature requirements

For veto referendum, the only form of initiative in New Mexico, signatures must equal 10% of voters in the previous general election.

Year	Veto referendum
2012	60,770

North Dakota signature requirements

Since North Dakota does not have a voter registration system, the number of signatures required is tied to the population reported by the last decennial census. As such, any US Citizen who is at least 18 years old and who has resided in the state for at least thirty day may sign an initiative petition. For statutes and veto referenda, the number of signatures required is 2% of the population. For amendments, it is 4% of the population. For recall, signatures must equal 25% of the votes cast for that particular office in the last election. Officials in Congress are exempt.

Year	Constitutional amendment	Initiated statute	Veto referendum
2014	26,904	13,452	13,452
2012	26,904	13,452	13,452
2010	25,688	12,844	12,844
2008	25,688	12,844	12,844

See law: North Dakota Constitution, Article III, Sections 4, 9, & 10

Ohio signature requirements

For constitutional amendments, petitioners must submit signatures equal to 10% of the votes cast for governor in the most recent election.

For statutes, signatures equaling 3% of these votes must be submitted in order to place the proposal before the Ohio State Legislature. If the legislature fails to enact the proposed legislation, additional signatures equaling 3% of the last gubernatorial vote must be collected in order to place the measure the ballot. Put simply, if initiative sponsors believe that the legislature will not enact their proposed law, they should plan to collect signatures equaling 6% of the last gubernatorial vote.

Veto referendums also require 6%. In addition, every type of measure requires 1000 preliminary signatures with the initial filing.

Year	Initial signatures	Initiated amendment	Initiated statute Round 1	Initiated statute Round 2	Veto referendum
2014	1,000	385,247	115,574	115,574	231,149
2012	1,000	385,247	115,574	115,574	231,149
2010	1,000	402,275	120,683	120,683	241,365
2008	1,000	402,275	120,683	120,683	241,365

See law: Ohio Constitution, Article 2, Sections 1a -1c

Oklahoma signature requirements

The number of signatures required is tied to the total vote cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election. Amendments, statutes, and veto referendums must receive signatures equaling 15%, 8%, and 5% of this vote, respectively. Previously rejected measures require 25% of this vote in order to be placed on the ballot again within 3 years. Signatures are presumed valid unless challenged.

The basis of the Oklahoma signature requirement used to be the votes cast for the office receiving the most votes in the state's last general election. Due to higher turnout for presidential elections, the signature requirement varied widely every fourth year. In 2010, voters passed Oklahoma State Question 750 amending the requirement.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	155,216	82,782	51,739
2012	155,216	82,782	51,739
2010	219,400	117,013	73,134
2008	138,970	74,117	46,324
1994	208,554	111,229	-
1992	175,656	93,683	-
1990	175,656	-	-
1989	136,489	-	-

See law: Oklahoma Constitution, Article V, Section 2 & Section 6

Oregon signature requirements

The number of signatures required is tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. Valid signatures equaling 8% of this vote are needed for initiated constitutional amendments and signatures equal to 6% of this vote are required for initiated statutes. Signatures equal to 4% of the votes cast for governor are needed for a veto referendum.

Year	Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	116,284	87,213	58,142
2012	116,284	87,213	58,142
2010	110,358	82,769	55,179
2008	110,358	82,769	55,179

See law: Oregon Constitution, Article IV, Section 1

South Dakota signature requirements

In South Dakota, signatures are tied to the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the state's most recent gubernatorial election. For statutes or veto referendums, signatures equal to 5% of this vote are required. For constitutional amendments, signatures equal to 10% are required.

Year	Constitutional Amendment	Statute	Veto referendum
2014	31,708	15,854	15,854
2012	31,708	15,854	15,854
2010	33,551	16,776	16,776
2008	33,551	16,776	16,776

See law: South Dakota Constitution, Article III, Section 1 & Article III, Section 1

Utah signature requirements

The number of required signatures is tied to the number of votes cast in Utah for the office of President in the most recent Presidential election. Before 2011, the basis for signature requirements was the gubernatorial election. For directly initiated statutes and veto referendums, proponents must gather signatures equal to 10% of the total votes cast for President. For indirectly initiated statutes, proponents must get 5% of this vote. If the legislature chooses not to adopt the measure, proponents must collect another 5% to place the measure on the ballot.

Year	Direct statute	Indirect statute Round 1	Indirect statute Round 2	Veto referendum
2014	102,879	51,440	51,440	102,879
2012	97,119	48,559	48,559	97,119

See law: Utah Code, Title 20A, Chapter 7, Section 201, Section 208 & Section 301

Washington signature requirements

Washington's signature requirement is based on the total number of votes cast for the office of governor at the last regular gubernatorial election. Initiatives to the People require signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast for the office of governor in the last election. Initiatives to the Legislature also require signatures equal to 8% of the votes cast for the office of governor in the last election. Veto referendum petitions require signatures equal to 4% of the votes cast for the office of governor.

Year	Initiative to the People	Initiative to the Legislature	Veto referendum
2014	246,372	246,372	123,186
2013	246,372	246,372	123,186
2012	240,229	240,229	120,114
2010	240,229	240,229	120,114
2009	240,229	240,229	120,114
2008	224,880	224,880	112,440

Wyoming signature requirements

The signature requirement in Wyoming is based on the number of votes cast in the state's most recent general election--held every two years. However, in most I&R states, the number of signatures required is based on gubernatorial elections--almost always held every four years. As a result of Wyoming's atypical system, the number of signatures changes significantly every two years due to the fact that voter turnout for presidential elections is generally much higher than in mid-term elections.

More specifically, initiated state statutes and veto referendums require signatures equal to 15% of the total ballots cast in the previous general election. This is the highest signature requirement of any state, even considering requirements for initiating constitutional amendments. Citizen-initiated amendments are not allowed in Wyoming.

Year	Votes cast in most recent general election	Initiated statute	Veto referendum
2014	250,701	37,606	37,606
2012	190,822	28,623	28,623
2010	256,035	38,406	38,406
2008	196,217	29,433	29,433
2006	245,789	36,899	36,899
2004	188,028	28,204	28,204

See law: Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 52(c)

Articles about signature requirements

References

[0] Maine initiative signature requirement

[1] Signature requirement for veto referenda

[2] Mississippi initiative information

[3] MO Secretary of State, "Making Your Voice Heard"

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

	v • d • e Signature requirements
Signature requirements	Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky • Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi • Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico • New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah • Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming
Petition companies	American Petition Consultants • Arno Political Consultants • Bader & Associates, Inc. • Canvasser Services • Capitol Assets • Democracy Direct • Democracy Resources • Discovery Petition Management • Fieldworks • JSM, Inc. • Kimball Petition Management • LAMM Political Partners, LLC • Masterson & Wright • National Ballot Access • National Petition Management • National Solutions • National Voter Outreach • Progressive Campaigns, Inc.
Terms	Approved for circulation • Circulation period • Circulator • Circulator affidavit • Forged signature • Fraudulent signature • Invalid signature • Paid circulator • Petition • Random sampling • Registered voter • Signature certification • Signer • Signer intent • Valid signature • Volunteer circulator • Signature transcription
Petition drive deadlines	2008 deadlines • 2009 deadlines • 2010 deadlines • 2011 deadlines • 2012 deadlines
Signature law	States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor

Signature requirements

Signature requirements, by state

Articles about signature requirements

References

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