Proposal routes ballot issue challenges to district court

Under the proposal, supporters or opponents could ask a district court to review ballot wording or the attorney general’s decision about a petition’s legal sufficiency. The process covers supporters and opponents of statewide ballot issues challenging approved ballot statements or the attorney general’s decision about whether a petition is legally sufficient. A challenge to ballot wording must explain what is wrong and propose wording that meets legal requirements. The district court could order revised statements or decide whether an issue meets legal requirements. Some decisions could be appealed to the Supreme Court. If the attorney general or a court revises the petition form or ballot statements, petitions signed before the revision would be void. Supporters must file within 10 days of the attorney general’s legal sufficiency decision. Opponents must file within 10 days after the completed petition is certified as officially filed. The attorney general must respond within 5 days.

The proposal would repeal the law section on Supreme Court review of ballot statements. The recorded action history says the bill died in process, so the repeal did not take effect. The proposal would take effect on passage and approval.