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Signature requirements for ballot measures in Arizona
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in Arizona. In Arizona, citizens can initiate three types of ballot measures—constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Requirements
In Arizona, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election.
The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in Arizona:
- initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 15 percent of the votes cast for governor
- initiated state statute (ISS): 10 percent of the votes cast for governor
- veto referendum (VR): 5 percent of the votes cast for governor
Below are the signature requirements that initiative proponents must meet to get their initiatives on the ballot in that year, with gubernatorial election years bolded.
| Year | Amendment | Statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 383,923 | 255,949 | 127,975 |
| 2024 | 383,923 | 255,949 | 127,975 |
| 2022 | 356,467 | 237,645 | 118,823 |
| 2020 | 356,467 | 237,645 | 118,823 |
| 2018 | 225,963 | 150,642 | 75,321 |
| 2016 | 225,963 | 150,642 | 75,321 |
| 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 |
| 2006 | 183,917 | 122,612 | 61,306 |
| 2004 | 183,917 | 122,612 | 61,306 |
| 2002 | 152,643 | 101,762 | 50,881 |
| 2000 | 152,643 | 101,762 | 50,881 |
| 1998 | 169,442 | 112,961 | 56,481 |
| 1996 | 169,442 | 112,961 | 56,481 |
See law: Arizona Constitution, Article IV, Part 1, Section 1, ¶ 2-3, 7
Changes in number of signatures
The following graph illustrates the number of signatures required for initiated constitutional amendments (15 percent of the gubernatorial vote), initiated state statutes (10 percent of the gubernatorial vote), and veto referendums (5 percent of the gubernatorial vote) from 1996 through 2026.
Basis of calculation
In Arizona, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election. The following numbers of votes were cast for the office of governor in each year listed:
| Year | Votes cast for governor |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,559,485 |
| 2018 | 2,376,441 |
| 2014 | 1,508,919 |
| 2010 | 1,728,081 |
| 2006 | 1,533,645 |
| 2002 | 1,226,111 |
| 1998 | 1,017,616 |
| 1994 | 1,129,607 |
Signature deadlines
In Arizona, citizen-initiated ballot measures can appear on general election (even-numbered years) ballots. Proponents are allowed to gather signatures for initiatives for two years. Proponents are allowed to gather signatures for veto referendums for 90 days.
The deadline for submitting signatures to get an initiative or referendum on the ballot for a particular general election is four months before that election. Signatures need to be filed with the secretary of state's office.
| Year | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026 | July 2, 2026 |
| 2024 | July 3, 2024 |
| 2022 | July 7, 2022 |
| 2020 | July 2, 2020 |
| 2018 | July 5, 2018 |
| 2016 | July 1, 2016 |
| 2014 | July 3, 2014 |
| 2012 | July 5, 2012 |
| 2010 | July 1, 2010 |
Recall
To recall an official in Arizona, signatures equal to 25 percent of the vote cast in the last election for the office are required.
See also
- Laws governing the initiative process in Arizona
- History of I & R in Arizona
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Arizona
External links
- Arizona Secretary of State, "Initiative, Referendum and Recall"
- Arizona Secretary of State, "Initiative, Referendum and Recall Guide"
Footnotes
