This year, I have seen an increasing interest in referenda and petitions. Most questions regarding referenda require some research because there are many different provisions regarding how to place a referendum on the ballot. Here is a little primer about referenda.

Voter initiated referenda are those referenda that are placed on the ballot after a group of citizens circulates petitions and gathers a requisite number of signatures to place a question on the ballot.

Governing boards can also place referenda on the ballot in some circumstances by majority vote of the governing board.

Binding referenda are referenda in which the result of the referenda will have an actual effect. For example, when a referendum is submitted to voters regarding the sale of alcohol, that question is binding.

Advisory referenda are those referenda that, if passed, would have no actual effect. For example, a group of citizens could circulate petitions to put an advisory referendum on the ballot saying that parking spots should be two inches shorter to encourage smaller cars. If such a referendum passed in a community, the governing body of that community would be under no obligation to follow through with the result of the referendum.

Advisory referenda can be placed on the ballot by the governing board of any township, municipality, county, or park district. Citizens of any government body can circulate petitions to place an advisory referendum on the ballot for that government body.

Advisory referenda require the valid signatures of voters representing 8% of the votes cast for Governor at the last gubernatorial election. The signature requirements for other voter initiated referenda are varied. Check the statutes or call our office for more information.

On a side note, some people have asked about the circulation of petitions to present to a governing body. These are generally unregulated by our office or Illinois statute. So if a group of citizens wants to circulate a petition asking the city to put a stop sign at an intersection, they can draw up the petition however they like, since the petition is merely advisory and doesn’t seek to have a question put on the ballot.

People with questions about referenda are always invited to call or e-mail our office.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS