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HJ0007 • 2022

Initiative and referendum requirements.

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution to modify the signature requirement for initiative and referendum petitions; changing the requirement from fifteen percent (15%) of those residing in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the counties to at least fifteen percent (15%) of those residing in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the senate districts in the state.

Elections
Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor
Representative Burt
Last action
2022-02-18
Official status
inactive
Effective date
3/1/2022

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify the exact impact on voter participation or other potential effects.

Changing Signature Requirements for Initiative and Referendum Petitions

This resolution proposes changing the signature requirement for initiative and referendum petitions in Wyoming's Constitution from fifteen percent of residents in at least two-thirds of counties to fifteen percent of residents in at least two-thirds of senate districts.

What This Bill Does

  • Proposes an amendment to the Wyoming Constitution.
  • Changes the current requirement for signatures on initiative and referendum petitions.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Residents of Wyoming who want to start initiatives or referendums.
  • The Secretary of State and other state officials involved in the petition process.

Terms To Know

Initiative
A process that allows citizens to propose laws directly, bypassing the legislature.
Referendum
A process where voters can approve or reject a law passed by the state legislature.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill did not pass and was not considered for introduction.
  • It is unclear how this change would affect voter participation in initiatives and referendums.

Bill History

  1. 2022-02-18 House

    H Did not Consider for Introduction

  2. 2022-02-16 House

    H Received for Introduction

  3. 2022-02-16 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
22LSO-0377
2022
STATE OF WYOMING
22LSO-0377
Numbered
2.0

House Joint Resolution NO. HJ0007

Initiative and referendum requirements.

Sponsored by: Representative(s) Burt and Barlow

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution to modify the signature requirement for

initiative and referendum petitions; changing the requirement from fifteen percent (15%) of those residing in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the counties to at least fifteen percent (15%) of those residing in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the senate districts in the state.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amend Wyoming Constitution, Article 3, Section 52(c)(ii) is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of Wyoming at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 3, Section 52.

Initiative and referendum.

(c)

After certification of the application, a petition containing a summary of the subject matter shall be prepared by the secretary of state for circulation by the sponsors.

The petition may be filed with the secretary of state if it meets both of the following requirements:

(ii)

It is signed by qualified voters equal in number to fifteen percent (15%) of those resident in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
counties
senate districts
of the state, as determined by those who voted in the preceding general election in
that county
each senate district
.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The Wyoming Constitution allows the people of the state to propose and enact laws by initiative and to approve or reject acts of the legislature by referendum. This amendment would change the requirement for petition signatures for an initiative or referendum. Currently, a petition must be signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the counties. This amendment would change the requirement to at least fifteen percent (15%) of the qualified voters in at least two-thirds (2/3) of the senate districts.

This amendment will provide for equal participation of Wyoming residents in the political process by adhering to the "one person one vote" principle.

(END)

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HJ0007