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City Recorders Office City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 (541) 682-5042 (541) 682-5414 FAX eugene.city.recorder@ci.eugene.or.us www.eugene-or.gov City of Eugene Initiative Process Initiative Petition This is a summary of the process for filing an with the City of Eugene. For additional information, please contact Mary Feldman, City Recorder. What is an initiative? The initiative is part of Oregon’s system of direct legislation by the voters. In Eugene, an initiative petition may propose one of three different types of legislation: a revision of or amendment of the Eugene Charter; an ordinance enacting a law of a permanent or general character which creates policy, as opposed to executing policy already in existence; or a “protected” ordinance (in accordance with Eugene Charter of 2002, section 32-A) Protected ordinances may be amended or repealed only by the electors or by unanimous vote of councilors present and voting at a council meeting. The prospective petition for a protected ordinance must include a statement declaring that the ordinance is proposed as a protected ordinance. The petition for a protected ordinance and any qualified ballot measure for a protected ordinance shall state that it is proposed as a protected ordinance and must explain the limitations on its repeal or amendment. Who may file an initiative petition? Any elector may initiate legislation by filing with the Eugene City Recorder a prospective initiative petition proposing new legislation and requesting that it be submitted to the electors of the city. The individual responsible for preparation and organization of an initiative petition is the “chief petitioner.” Up to three persons may be designated as chief petitioners for any one initiative petition. The steps for filing an initiative petition are summarized below. CHIEF PETITIONERS SUBMIT PROSPECTIVE INITIATIVE PETITION Prior to circulation of an initiative petition, the chief petitioner(s) must submit the prospective initiative petition to the City Recorder's Office. The City Recorder shall review the prospective initiative petition for sufficiency as to form, and advise the petitioners of the election filing deadline (Eugene Code Section 2.973). The prospective initiative petition must include the following: 1. A copy of the proposed legislation . If this proposed legislation is passed by the voters, the exact wording as presented at this time will become the adopted law. It is strongly recommended that petitioners seek the advice of an attorney prior to submitting the proposed legislation to ensure that what is proposed is legislative in nature and does not conflict with existing State and Federal laws. 2. State Form SEL 370 Prospective Petition for Local Measure. This form requests that the City Attorney prepare a ballot title. The form must include a statement designating the names and addresses of not more than three persons or entities as chief petitioners. If the chief petitioner is an organization, its I nitiative Petition Process Page 1 of 4 12/10/2008