HB2873

THE CONTEXT: The Arizona Constitution grants qualified electors the power of the referendum to approve or reject at the polls all matters on which a city or town is empowered by general laws to legislate. 10 percent of the electors may propose the referendum on legislation enacted within and by such city or town ( Ariz.

WHAT THE BILL DID: Authorizes a person or organization that files a referendum petition with a city or town to file a written notice of withdrawal of the referendum petition before the measure qualifies for the ballot.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to give the people who rely on the rule clearer information and a defined reporting process. It would allow a person or organization that files a referendum petition with a city or town clerk to withdraw the referendum petition by filing a written notice of withdrawal with the city or town clerk at any time before the measure has qualified for the ballot, and would also apply the notice of withdrawal authorization retroactively to all written notices of withdrawals that are filed with a city or town clerk beginning January 1, 2026, regardless of whether the withdrawal was accepted or rejected, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.