Who certifies petition signatures?

The City Clerk certifies petition signatures and determines sufficiency based on municipal rules and available records.

How many valid signatures are required?

The required number varies by petition type and is set by the City Charter or ordinances; the specific threshold is not specified on the cited page.

Is there an official petition form?

The City Clerk publishes form requirements when available; if no form is published, the Clerk will list required elements at filing.

Green Bay Initiative Petition Signatures & Review

Elections and Campaign Finance Wisconsin 3 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026

This guide explains how initiative petitions are handled in Green Bay, Wisconsin, including signature gathering, filing with the City Clerk, review procedures, and common timelines. It is intended to help resident organizers, candidates, and interested members of the public understand who enforces petition requirements, what to submit, and how to appeal or challenge a petition determination.

How initiative petitions begin

Initiative petitions proposing ordinances or charter amendments in Green Bay are submitted to the City Clerk for filing and certification. The City Clerk examines petitions for form, sufficiency of circulating statements, and the validity of signer information before certifying the number of valid signatures needed to place an item on the ballot or to initiate an ordinance process. For the controlling text of municipal rules on petitions, consult the City of Green Bay Code of Ordinances and the City Clerk guidance.^[1]

Signature requirements and verification

Signature requirements depend on the type of petition (ordinance, charter amendment, referendum) and applicable thresholds in the City Charter or ordinances. The Clerk verifies signer residency and whether signers are registered voters as required by the controlling municipal provisions.

Deadlines and circulating periods: not specified on the cited page.
Required contents of petition papers: name of measure, circulator affidavits, and signer information; specific form requirements are not specified on the cited page.
Verification method: Clerk certification based on records; exact criteria are in the municipal code or Clerk procedures.

Contact the City Clerk early to confirm the current signature threshold and required affidavit language.

Petition filing and review process

Filing occurs at the City Clerk's office during regular business hours or as prescribed by the Clerk's filing rules. After submission the Clerk reviews the petition for completeness, circulator affidavits, and signer eligibility, then issues a certification of sufficiency or insufficiency.

Where to file: City Clerk's office (see Help and Support / Resources below for official contact links).
Initial review timeframe: not specified on the cited page.
If certified, the Clerk notifies the council and the item is scheduled per ordinance or charter procedures.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of petition rules and penalties for violations are administered by the City Clerk and, where applicable, enforced through municipal code provisions or court action. Specific fine amounts or statutory penalties for improper petitions are not specified on the cited page; where the municipal code names penalties they are cited in the Code of Ordinances.^[1]

Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary remedies: orders to correct filings, referral to municipal court, or invalidation of petition signatures (not specified in detail on the cited page).
Enforcer: City Clerk for certification; municipal court or city attorney may pursue violations.
Complaint and inspection pathway: submit concerns to the City Clerk; see official contact links below.
Appeal/review: appeals of Clerk certification are handled by the procedures listed in the municipal code or by filing a court action; specific time limits are not specified on the cited page.

If you suspect fraudulent signatures, preserve original papers and notify the City Clerk immediately.

Applications & Forms

The official petition form or required circulator affidavit, if published, is available from the City Clerk. If no form is published on the Clerk pages or in the Code, the Clerk will identify the required elements at filing; the Code of Ordinances is the authoritative reference for form and content requirements.^[1]

Action steps

Prepare petition language and draft circulator affidavits.
Collect signatures ensuring signers meet residency or voter-registration criteria.
File completed petition with the City Clerk and request certification.
If denied, follow appeal steps in the municipal code or consult the City Attorney for guidance.

FAQ

Who certifies petition signatures?: The City Clerk certifies petition signatures and determines sufficiency based on municipal rules and available records.
How many valid signatures are required?: The required number varies by petition type and is set by the City Charter or ordinances; the specific threshold is not specified on the cited page.
Is there an official petition form?: The City Clerk publishes form requirements when available; if no form is published, the Clerk will list required elements at filing.

How-To

Draft the proposed ordinance or amendment text and prepare clear ballot language.
Contact the City Clerk to confirm signature thresholds, format requirements, and any available official form.
Circulate the petition and obtain signatures, ensuring each signer provides required residence or registration details.
Submit the completed petition to the City Clerk for review and request written certification.
If the Clerk finds the petition insufficient, file an appeal per municipal procedures or seek court review within applicable timelines.

Key Takeaways

Start with the City Clerk to confirm current thresholds and required language.
Preserve original petition pages and affidavits until certification is complete.

Help and Support / Resources

[1] City of Green Bay Code of Ordinances (Municode)