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Commission advances initiative‑and‑referendum changes to study committee; lowers county signature threshold and allows statistical sampling
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Summary
A proposal to reduce countywide initiative and referendum signature thresholds from 10% to 8%, allow conversion of unsuccessful initiatives to mini‑initiatives (3%), and permit the county auditor to use statistical sampling for countywide signature verification advanced to a study committee 14–1. The auditor's office reviewed the concept and provided input.
Commissioner Garber presented Amendment 2640 to adjust initiative and referendum procedures in the charter. The proposal would lower countywide signature thresholds from 10% to 8%, permit proponents with insufficient countywide signatures to convert an effort into a mini‑initiative if they meet the 3% threshold, and authorize the auditor’s office to use statistical sampling (minimum 10% sample) to verify countywide petition signatures per a sampling method cited in the presentation.
Garber said the change is intended to make citizen initiatives more attainable while preserving election safeguards; she reported that the auditor/elections office reviewed the proposal and said it would not create unintended consequences. Commissioners asked whether countywide and unincorporated thresholds should differ and discussed how the statistical‑sampling option would apply only to countywide petitions.
After questions and brief debate the commission voted to advance the amendment to a study committee by roll call, 14–1. Garber will chair the study committee and several commissioners volunteered to serve as co‑sponsors.
