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the election. (Eugene Code Section 2.977(4)) 4. CIRCULATORS COLLECT SIGNATURES A. Number of signatures required to place a referendum petition on the ballot: A referendum petition requires 10 percent of the number of votes cast for all candidates for mayor at the most recent mayoral election preceding the date when circulation of the petition begins. Based on the November 2, 2004, election, the number of signatures required is 5,373 who must be registered voters in Eugene. Many signatures are rejected during the verification process because they are illegible, duplications, or the electors do not reside within the boundaries of the city of Eugene. Therefore, petitioners are advised to collect at least 10 percent more signatures than are required (an additional 537 or total of 5,910) in order to increase the likelihood of enough valid signatures to meet the requirement. B. Time limit for collection of signatures: As specified in the Eugene Charter Section 32, an ordinance takes effect 30 days after passage, unless it is passed with an emergency clause. All signatures must be collected and filed with the City Recorder prior to the ordinance taking effect, or within 29 days of the passage of the ordinance. If the petitioners fail to complete the process within the 29 days, the petition is void. However, the petitioners may later file an initiative petition. 5. CHIEF PETITIONERS FILE PETITION SIGNATURE SHEETS FOR VERIFICATION When a petition is filed with the City Recorder's Office, the petition signature sheets will be forwarded to Lane County Elections. The elections division, acting on behalf of the City, shall verify the legality of the signatures within 15 calendar days of the filing date (Eugene Code Section 2.979(1 )). 6. PETITIONERS FILE FINANCIAL REPORT Oregon law requires that the petitioners file a Contribution and Expenditure report no later than 15 calendar days after the signatures are submitted for verification. If the signatures are filed in more than one submission, the report will be due no later than 15 calendar days after the deadline for submitting signatures (the 29th day after passage of the ordinance being referred). A group or organization formed to support or oppose a petition that is not yet a measure on a ballot is not a political committee. If the petition qualifies for the ballot and the group intends to support or oppose the measure, it must register as a political committee with the Oregon Elections Division by opening a campaign account (SEL 223) and filing a Statement of Organization (SEL 221). On request, the City Recorder's Office will provide the State of Oregon manual and necessary forms for reporting requirements. Referendum Petition Process 8/2007 Page 3