Withdrawal of ballot initiative petition signatures: Difference between revisions
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The '''withdrawal of ballot initiative petition signatures''', also known as '''petition signature revocation''', is the process through which a voter who has signed a petition can officially have his or her signature removed from the petition so that the signature no longer counts. | The '''withdrawal of ballot initiative petition signatures''', also known as '''petition signature revocation''', is the process through which a voter who has signed a petition can officially have his or her signature removed from the petition so that the signature no longer counts. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:23, 13 February 2026
The withdrawal of ballot initiative petition signatures, also known as petition signature revocation, is the process through which a voter who has signed a petition can officially have his or her signature removed from the petition so that the signature no longer counts.
Six states—California, Idaho, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Washington—allow individuals who have signed a ballot initiative petition to later withdraw their signatures.
HIGHLIGHTS
Requirements by state
The following map provides information on signature petition withdrawal:
States allowing for signature petition withdrawal
The following table outlines states that provide for signature petition withdrawal:
| State | Year Adopted | Requirement | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | A person who signs a petition may withdraw their signature by submitting a written request to the appropriate county or city elections official before the petition is filed. | California Elections Code § 103 | |
| Idaho | A person who signs a petition may withdraw their signature by defacing it before submission or by submitting a written or electronic request to the county clerk before signature verification. | Idaho Statutes § 34-1803B | |
| Oklahoma | 2025 | A person who signs a petition may withdraw their signature through procedures established by the secretary of state for submitting a removal request. | Oklahoma Statutes § 34-8 |
| South Dakota | 2024 | A person who signs a petition may withdraw their signature by submitting a written, notarized notification to the secretary of state before the petition is filed and certified for the ballot. | South Dakota Codified Laws § 2-1-18.1 |
| Utah | A person who signs a petition may withdraw their signature by submitting a written removal statement to the county clerk within 45 or 90 days, depending on the type of ballot measure. | § 20A-7-105(8)(9) | |
| Washington | A person who signs a petition may withdraw their signature by submitting a written request to the filing officer before signature verification begins, which starts within three working days of the petition’s filing. | Revised Code of Washington § 35.21.005(4) |
Legislation
The following is a list of bills passed, beginning in 2016, related to signature petition withdrawal.
2025
- Oklahoma Senate Bill 1027: The legislation requires the secretary of state to establish procedures that allow voters to request the removal of their signatures from a petition, among other changes.[1]
2024
- South Dakota House Bill 1244: The legislation allowed individuals to withdraw their signature from an initiative or referendum petition by submitting a written, notarized request to the secretary of state. The request must include the petition title, the individual’s printed name, signature, address, county of registration, and a statement of withdrawal. It must be submitted before the petition is filed and certified, and may be delivered by hand or registered mail.[2]
2021
- Utah House Bill 136: The legislation made several changes to the laws governing the initiative process in Utah, including requiring petition sponsors to email signers explaining how to remove their signature from the petition.[3]
2020
- Idaho House Bill 548: The legislation required that each petition page must include a statement informing signers that they have the right to remove their signature, among other changes.[4]
See also
Footnotes
