Measures & Petitions

The City Clerk's Office cannot interpret laws or offer legal advice, and we strongly suggest seeking legal counsel to ensure full compliance with California Elections Code. The requirements may differ based upon the type of legislation to determine what applies to the situation, consult California Elections Code Sections 9200-9226 and California Elections Code Sections 9235-9247 et seq.

The papers to qualify a citizen ballot initiative or referendum are filed in the City Clerk’s Office along with a $200 filing fee. The filing fee is established by Council Resolution and is refunded to the proponent if the item qualifies for the ballot.

The following items must be filed with the City Clerk’s Office as part of the process:

  1. Notice of Intent to Circulate Petition with written text of initiative: Before circulating an initiative petition in any city, the proponents of the matter shall file with the City Clerk a notice of intention to do so, which shall be accompanied by the written text of the initiative and may be accompanied by a written statement not in excess of 500 words, setting forth the reasons for the proposed petition. The notice shall be signed by at least one, but not more than three, proponents.
  2.  Impartial Summary and Title: Upon submission of this request and the Notice of Intent to Circulate, the City Clerk shall immediately transmit a copy of the proposed measure to the City Attorney. Within 15 days after the proposed measure is filed, the City Attorney shall provide and return to the City Clerk a ballot title for and summary of the proposed measure.
  3. An Affidavit of Publication: A Notice of Intent and the title and summary of the proposed measure shall be published in an adjudicated newspaper of general circulation. In South San Francisco, the Peninsula Examiner has sought and been awarded such adjudication by the Superior Court. An affidavit of publication must be filed with the Clerk by 10 days after publication of the Notice of Intention, title and summary in the Peninsula Examiner.
  4. Signed Petition: The signed petition must be filed with the Clerk –recommended timing is 172 days prior to the desired election and can be circulated only after publication of the notice referenced at Item 3. Note that the petition cannot be submitted more than 180 days after the proponents receive the title and summary from the City Clerk. For specific requirements and contents of the petition, please see California Government Code Section 9200 et seq.

    Initiative Petition Process

The information above is meant for informational purposes only.

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