Initiative Petitions
Twenty-four states and hundreds of cities and counties authorize the initiative petition to enact ordinances, statutes or amendments. With an initiative petition, a measure is placed on the ballot after proponents gather a requisite number of signatures.
In an age of legislative gridlock, the initiative petition has become a critical front in policy-making battles at the state and local levels.
At Ballot Measure Group, we have worked on dozens of initiative petitions. Whether contemplating a “Yes” campaign or faced with fighting a “No” campaign, Ballot Measure Group can bring strategic legal counsel to your initiative petition effort.
"Yes" Campaigns
For “Yes” campaigns, we assist clients with a full range of services, including:
- Conducting a Ballot Measure Group Feasibility Study on the political, policy and legal feasibility of crafting and passing an initiative petition
- Drafting initiative petitions
- Preparing a fiscal analysis of the ballot proposition
- Securing approval of initiative petition format, ballot title and fiscal summary from state or local authorities
- Coordinating defense of ballot measure litigation, recounts and challenges
- Setting up ballot measure campaign committees and coordinating campaign finance and not-for-profit compliance
- Counseling on signature gathering, venue access and turn-in compliance
- Combating competing measures, whether originating in the legislature or by initiative
"No" Campaigns
For “No” campaigns, we provided clients comprehensive services, including:
- Conducting a Ballot Measure Group Feasibility Study on the political, policy and legal prognosis of defeating a potential initiative petition
- Conceptualizing and drafting competing measures
- Coordinating ballot measure litigation, recounts and challenges
- Preparing a fiscal analysis of the ballot proposition
- Contesting approval of initiative petition format, ballot title and fiscal summary with state or local authorities and in the courts
- Setting up ballot measure campaign committees and coordinating campaign finance and not-for-profit compliance
- Contesting signature gathering and signature validation
