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How many signatures are needed for an initiative?
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Question: How many signatures are needed for an initiative?
Answer: To qualify an initiative for a statewide ballot, proponents must collect a minimum number of valid signatures that varies across each state. The requirements are based on a percentage of votes cast in a preceding election, registered voters, or (in one case) population. To qualify for the 2024 ballot, the signature requirements range from 15,582 (for initiated state statutes in North Dakota) to 874,641 (for initiated constitutional amendments in California).
Details and context: Citizens can petition to place initiatives on the statewide ballot in 24 states. In two additional states, there is a process for statewide veto referendums. The process of getting an initiative on the ballot varies by state, and there is no federal law that addresses the state initiative process. While each state requires people to collect signatures from registered voters, the number of signatures, geographic distribution of signatures, and collection timeframe vary.
For example, to place an initiated constitutional amendment (ICA) on the ballot in California, initiative proponents must collect signatures equal to 8 percent of the votes cast for governor in the preceding election. In Ohio, the signature requirement for an ICA is 10 percent of the votes cast for governor in the preceding election. In Florida, the signature requirement for an ICA is 8 percent of the total number of votes cast in the last presidential election.
To learn more about the laws governing the initiative process in a specific state, click here.
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