Helpful Definitions - City Code Section 54-2
Ballot issue - Citizen-initiated petition or legislatively referred measure which concerns local government matters such as taxes, debt, and other financial matters, pursuant to Section 20 of Article X of the State Constitution. Ballot issues may only be voted on at general elections held in November.
Ballot question - Any local government matter involving a citizen-initiated petition, including a petition to recall a public officeholder, or a legislatively referred measure, other than a ballot issue.
Referred measure - A ballot issue or ballot question placed on the ballot by the City Council for a vote by the eligible electors of the city.
General Election - Statewide election held on the Tuesday following the first Monday of November of each even-numbered years.
Regular Municipal Election - Election held on the first Tuesday in November in odd-numbered years.
Special Municipal Election - Held in conjunction with the General Election, except as otherwise provided in the City Charter.
Initial determination of sufficiency - Statement issued by the City Clerk as to whether the petitioners have submitted a sufficient number of valid signatures on a petition.
Final determination of sufficiency - Statement issued by the City Clerk following a protest hearing or the expiration of the time allowed for filing a protest, as to whether the petitioners have submitted a sufficient number of valid signatures on a petition.