Initiative, referendum, and recall are three powers reserved to enable the voters, by petition, to propose or repeal legislation or to remove an elected official from office.
Individuals are encouraged to review all election materials and laws with their individual attorneys to ensure compliance with current legal requirements. While the City Clerk’s Office will assist with procedural questions related to election filings, City Clerk's Office staff cannot render legal, financial, or other professional advice.
To obtain an initiative, referendum, or recall packet, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 480-782-2182.
Initiative is the power to propose new legislation. To place an initiative on the ballot, the circulating committee must submit the signatures of a minimum of 15% of the qualified electors of the city. Chandler’s Charter states that signatures are calculated by the total number of registered voters qualified to vote at the last preceding general municipal election (Chandler Municipal Code Chapter 4-3).
Signature requirements effective as of the November 5, 2024 General Election
- 166,164 Total Registered Voters x 15% = 24,925 Minimum number of signatures for an Initiative Petition
Filing Deadline
- The petition must be filed not less than four months preceding the date of the election at which the measures proposed are to be voted upon. The City Clerk cannot accept an Initiative Petition issued for circulation more than 24 months before the general election at which the measure is to be included on the ballot.
Referendum is the power to reject or overturn legislative actions taken by the Council. A referendum petition must be filed within 30 days after the Council action. The ordinance is suspended from becoming effective pending the outcome of the election. A referendum requires at least 10% of the qualified electors to propose a referendum on legislation enacted by the Council. The number of qualified electors required to sign the petition is computed from the whole number of votes cast at the last citywide election where the mayor or an at-large councilmember was chosen last preceding the submission of the application for the referendum petition (Arz. Const. Art. IV, pt. 1, § 1(8)).
Signature requirements effective as of the November 5, 2024 General Election
- 137,977 Total Votes Cast x 10% = 13,798 Minimum number of signatures for a Referendum Petition
Filing Deadlines
- The requisite number of signatures for a Referendum Petition must be obtained within the 30-day window specified in A.R.S. § 19-142.
Recall is the power to remove an elected official from office. If a petition with the required number of valid signatures is filed, the officer may resign or run for retention at a special election. The number of signatures needed for a Recall Petition is determined by the last preceding election at which the public officer who is the subject of the recall was declared elected (A.R.S. § 19-201).
Signature Requirements
Effective as of the August 2, 2022 Primary Election
- Mayor
- Total votes cast for all candidates for Mayor: 51,104 / 1 seat = 51,104
- 51,104 x 25% = 12,776 signatures required to recall Mayor
- Councilmember
- Total votes case for all candidates for Councilmember seats available: 126,159 / 3 seats = 42,053
- 42,053 x 25% = 10,513 signatures required to recall a Councilmember
Effective as of the July 30, 2024 Primary Election
- Councilmember
- Total votes cast for all candidates for Councilmember seats available: 112,960 / 3 seats = 37,635
- 37,635 x 25% = 9,413 signatures required to recall a Councilmember
Effective as of the November 5, 2024 General Election
- Councilmember: 25,869
- Total votes cast for all candidates for Councilmember seats available: 103,477 / 1 seat = 103,477
- 103,477 x 25% = 25,869 signatures required to recall a Councilmember
Filing Deadline
- The signed Recall Petitions must be filed with the City Clerk no later than 120 days after the date of the Recall Application.