Do organizers have to create their own petitions?

No. The City Clerk’s Office has blank petition forms available for circulation; organizers may also create their own sheets, in compliance with State guidelines for petition forms. The type size, the substance of the proposal that appears on the petition; the proposal summary that appears on the signature side of the petition, and the manner in which the proposal language is affixed to the petition are solely the responsibility of the petition sponsor. Petition sponsors are encouraged to seek legal counsel with respect to the initiative petition drive and Michigan election law requirements.

For additional information on petition format, please review the Michigan Secretary of State bulletin on filing statewide petitions (PDF). The format and style requirements for local petitions are the same.

Show All Answers

1. What are Citizen-Initiated City Charter Amendments and Ordinance Initiatives?
2. Do organizers have to create their own petitions?
3. Are there specific rules regarding who may sign a petition?
4. Are there rules for circulators?
5. How do I file a citizen-initiated Charter Amendment or Ordinance Initiative?
6. What are the requirements to file a Citizen-Initiated City Charter Amendment?
7. Where are signatures checked?
8. How long are Charter Amendment signatures valid once collected?
9. When do Citizen-Initiated City Charter Amendments and Citizen-Initiated Ordinances petitions need to be submitted before appearing on the ballot?
10. How long does it take to certify a Citizen-Initiated Petition?
11. Will supplemental filings be accepted if additional signatures are determined to be needed after the filing is checked against the QVF?
12. How quickly will supplemental filings be checked?
13. What are the signature requirements for Citizen-Initiated Ordinances?