How to Get an Initiative on the Ballot

State laws vary, but it can take hundreds of thousands of signatures to
get your initiative on the ballot. This requires lots of time and money.
Still up for the job? Take a deep breath, dust off that folding table and
start collecting signatures.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

1. Understand that a ballot initiative does not effect change. But it tells legislators where voters stand on certain issues and how many people support certain action. Keep in mind that you'll ultimately need a certain number of votes to be effective, so voter turnout needs to be high. You might even purposely delay your initiative until a presidential election year, since voter turnout in off years tends to be low.

2. Hire a lawyer to help you draft a formal petition.

3. Collect the required number of signatures and make sure they are valid.

4. Spread the word about the initiative (see 393 Organize a Petition).

5. Get out the vote. Depending on the rules of your jurisdiction, you'll need a certain percentage of voters to vote in favor of the initiative in order for it to pass.

Tips & Warnings

• At the local level, a nonbinding referendum serves the same purpose as a ballot initiative. A binding referendum, on the other hand, does change the laws.