Bend Initiative Petitions: Process & Signature Rules

Elections and Campaign Finance Oregon 3 Minutes Read · published March 08, 2026 Flag of Oregon

In Bend, Oregon, citizens may use ballot initiatives and referenda where allowed by the City Charter and applicable state law to propose or repeal local ordinances. This guide explains typical steps—drafting language, circulating petition signatures, filing with the City Recorder/City Clerk, and the verification and placement process—and points to the official city offices that administer petitions. Because procedural detail and numerical thresholds are set by the City Charter and the City Recorder or County elections processes, petitioners should confirm current forms and deadlines with official offices listed below.

Contact the City Recorder early to confirm current petition forms and deadlines.

Overview of the Initiative Process

The City Charter and the City Recorder/City Clerk establish whether an initiative or referendum is available, the procedural steps to submit a petition, and how measures reach the ballot. Typical stages include drafting the proposed ordinance or question, obtaining any required legal review, circulating the petition for signatures, filing the petition, signature verification, and certification for the ballot.

Penalties & Enforcement

Sanctions for improper petitions or fraudulent signatures are addressed through the City Recorder, County elections processes, and applicable state statutes; specific fine amounts, escalation, and statutory citations are not specified on the city pages cited below.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation and repeat offences: not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: challenges, court actions, or disqualification of petition signatures may occur; specific remedies are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and intake: the City Recorder/City Clerk handles filing and initial review; signature verification may involve Deschutes County Elections when county administration of ballots applies.
  • Appeals and review: judicial review of certification decisions is generally available, though time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.

Common violations include circulating incomplete petitions, submitting altered signature sheets, and failing to meet procedural filing requirements; available penalties and procedures for remediation are not specified on the cited pages and may be governed by city charter provisions or state law.

Applications & Forms

The City Recorder/City Clerk typically provides official petition forms, signature sheet formats, and filing instructions. If no published form is found on the city pages, the city office should be contacted directly for the required documents and any applicable fees; the specific form names, numbers, and fee amounts are not specified on the cited pages.

Official petition forms are issued or accepted by the City Recorder/City Clerk.

Key Steps in Practice

  • Draft the ordinance text or ballot question in clear legal language.
  • Confirm signature thresholds and filing deadlines with the City Recorder/City Clerk.
  • Collect signatures on the official petition forms and preserve witness or circulator statements when required.
  • File the petition by the required deadline; obtain a filing receipt.
  • Allow for verification by the city or county election official; respond to challenges promptly.
Keep originals and copies of all signature sheets and circulation logs for verification.

FAQ

How many signatures are required to qualify an initiative for the ballot?
Signature thresholds are set in the City Charter or governing municipal provisions; the specific numeric threshold is not specified on the cited city pages and should be confirmed with the City Recorder or City Charter text.
Where do I file a completed petition?
Completed petitions are filed with the City Recorder/City Clerk at City Hall; exact submission hours or online filing options should be confirmed with the City Recorder.
Who verifies signatures?
Signature verification is performed by the City Recorder/City Clerk or by Deschutes County Elections when county administration of ballots applies; verification procedures and timelines are defined by the administering office.

How-To

  1. Confirm authority: review the City Charter to ensure an initiative or referendum is allowed for the subject matter.
  2. Obtain official petition forms and instructions from the City Recorder/City Clerk.
  3. Draft the proposed ordinance or ballot question with clear operative language and, if appropriate, consult municipal legal staff for review.
  4. Collect the required number of valid signatures on the official forms before the filing deadline.
  5. File the petition with the City Recorder/City Clerk and obtain a filing receipt.
  6. Respond to any verification inquiries or challenges and, if certified, follow instructions for ballot placement and campaigning compliance.
File early to allow time for verification and challenges.

Key Takeaways

  • Initiative authority and thresholds are governed by the City Charter and city filing rules.
  • Contact the City Recorder/City Clerk for current forms, deadlines, and submission procedures.
  • Keep complete records of signature sheets and circulator affidavits for verification.

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