Tempe Ballot Initiative Petition - City Review

Elections and Campaign Finance Arizona 4 Minutes Read · published February 20, 2026

Starting a ballot initiative in Tempe, Arizona involves local filing steps, signature collection, and city review before placement on a ballot. This guide explains who administers initiatives in Tempe, where to find official forms, typical timelines, and how to file or challenge a petition. Read each step carefully to meet submission requirements and preserve appeal rights.

Overview of the Initiative Process

The City Clerk administers municipal initiative petitions and provides official packets and filing instructions for Tempe voters. Begin by contacting the City Clerk for current signature requirements, forms, and filing deadlines, and review the City Charter and municipal code that govern initiative and referendum procedures.^[1]^[2]

Obtain the official initiative packet and any required affidavit of circulator before collecting signatures.
Confirm the signature threshold and the petition circulation period with the City Clerk; thresholds are specified in the controlling charter or code.^[2]
Collect signatures exactly as prescribed; improper signatures may be rejected at verification.

Start by requesting the official packet from the City Clerk to ensure you use current forms.

Preparing and Submitting the Petition

Draft the proposed ordinance text clearly and have it reviewed for form and legality by the City Clerk or City Attorney as allowed by local rules. Circulators must follow statutory wording and format requirements when presenting the petition to signers. After collecting the required number of valid signatures, file the petition with the City Clerk by the stated deadline and pay any filing fees if required.

File the completed petition and all circulator affidavits with the City Clerk at the address listed on official instructions.^[1]
If a filing fee is required, pay as directed; if no fee is listed, the City Clerk will advise whether any charge applies.
Request verification and a filing receipt from the Clerk to document submission and start of the official review.

Petitions must comply with format and signature verification rules to be accepted for placement on the ballot.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of petition rules and penalties for violations involve the City Clerk and City Attorney where applicable. Specific fines, escalation amounts, or statutory penalties for errors or fraud in initiative petitions are not specified on the cited city pages; consult the controlling charter and municipal code or contact the City Attorney for exact penalties and remedies.^[2]^[3]

Enforcer: City Clerk handles filing and initial verification; the City Attorney may pursue legal action for fraud or misconduct.
Appeals/Review: If the Clerk rejects a petition, the city charter or code describes appeal routes; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page and should be confirmed with the Clerk.^[2]
Non-monetary sanctions: rejection of petition, ordering of re-submission, or referral to court may occur for fraud or procedural defects (details not specified on the cited page).

Applications & Forms

The City Clerk maintains the official petition packet and any required circulator affidavits or form templates; specific form names and numbers should be obtained directly from the Clerk or the city's official election materials page.^[1]

If a form name or fee is not published online, request the packet in writing or in person from the City Clerk.

How signatures are verified

After filing, the City Clerk will verify signatures against the official voter registration records. The exact verification method and time to complete verification are described in the Clerk's procedures; if not published, ask the Clerk for an estimate of processing time.^[1]

Processing timelines: not specified on the cited page; contact the City Clerk for expected verification timelines.
Invalid signatures are excluded; maintain accurate circulator affidavits to reduce rejections.

FAQ

Who administers initiative petitions in Tempe?: The City Clerk administers filing and initial verification of municipal initiative petitions; consult the Clerk for packets and instructions.^[1]
Where do I find the official petition forms?: Official petition packets and any required affidavits are available from the City Clerk's elections page or office; request the packet to ensure you have current forms.^[1]
What penalties apply if signatures are fraudulent?: Specific fines or criminal penalties for fraudulent signatures are not specified on the cited city pages; such matters may be referred to the City Attorney or courts for enforcement.^[2]

How-To

Request the official initiative petition packet from the City Clerk and review the City Charter and municipal code.^[1]
Draft the proposed ordinance text and prepare circulator affidavits exactly as required by the packet.
Collect the required number of valid signatures within the allowed circulation period.
File the petition and affidavits with the City Clerk, obtain a filing receipt, and request verification.
If rejected, follow the appeal or review route described by the Clerk or in the governing charter/code.

Key Takeaways

Start with the City Clerk to get the official packet and avoid invalid signatures.
Strict format and circulator affidavit rules control acceptance; verification is conducted against voter records.