2002

State of Wyoming

02LSO-0074.W1

 

 

 

WORKING DRAFT

 

 

 

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO.         

 

 

Initiative and referendum signature requirements

 

Sponsored by: Senator(s)

 

 

A BILL

 

for

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION relating to initiative and referendum petitions; eliminating the requirement for signatures from two-thirds of the counties in the state.

 

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING, two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

 

Section 1.  The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 52(c) is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

 

Article 3, Section 52.  Initiative and referendum.

 

(c)  After certification of the application, a petition containing a summary of the subject matter shall be prepared by the secretary of state for circulation by the sponsors.  The petition may be filed with the secretary of state if it meets both of the following requirements:

 

(i)  It is signed by qualified voters, equal in number to fifteen percent (15%) of those who voted in the preceding general election.; and

 

(ii)  It is signed by qualified voters equal in number to fifteen percent (15%) of those resident in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the counties of the state, as determined by those who voted in the preceding general election in that county.

 

Section 2.  The Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

 

The passage of this amendment would change the minimum requirements for petition signatures for initiative and referendums.  Currently the petitions must be signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in the state, with at least fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in two-thirds (2/3) of the counties signing.  This amendment would keep the statewide requirement the same but would eliminate the requirement that the signatures be from fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in two-thirds (2/3) of the counties.

 

(END)