This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding referendum petitions filed with city or town clerks. Under the new provisions, a person or organization that files such a petition will have the ability to withdraw it by submitting a written notice of withdrawal at any time before the measure qualifies for the ballot, as outlined in section 19-144. Additionally, the bill stipulates that this withdrawal process will apply retroactively to all notices filed after December 31, 2025, regardless of their acceptance status, and any votes for referendums with a filed withdrawal notice will not be counted (this act applies retroactively...). Furthermore, the bill includes a provision for the repeal of the new withdrawal procedures effective July 31, 2027 (section 19-144...is repealed from and after July 31, 2027). It also establishes that the act is an emergency measure, allowing it to take effect immediately (this act is an emergency measure...). Overall, these changes aim to clarify the process for withdrawing referendum petitions and ensure that such withdrawals are recognized in the electoral process.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 41-2533, 41-2535, 41-2573, 41-2532, 41-2513, 41-2578, 41-2579, 41-2581, 41-2534
House Engrossed Version: 41-2533, 41-2535, 41-2573, 41-2532, 41-2513, 41-2578, 41-2579, 41-2581, 41-2534
Senate Engrossed Version: 19-144