Page 33 - Special District Handbook with Cover-Final

This sample timeline is an example, but does not represent an exact timeline for your particular special district initiative process. It is provided to give you a general idea

of the length of the process.

The clock starts ticking when the Notice of Intention and Statement of Reasons are filed with the district elections official.

Within 10 days after the date of publication or posting, or both, of the Notice

of Intention and Statement of Reasons, the proponents must file a copy of the Notice of Intention and Statement of Reasons as published or posted, or both, together with proof of publication with the district elections official.

Within 180 days from the date of publication or posting, or both, of the Notice

of Intention and Statement of Reasons, signatures shall be secured and the petition shall be presented to the district elections official. Remember: Prior to circulation of the petition, the Notice of Intention and Statement of Reasons must be published and proof of publication must be filed with the district elections official.

*Within 30 days from the date the petition is filed, the district elections official, (Excluding Saturdays or an entity under contract by the district, will verify and Sundays, and holidays) certify the signatures.

Within 10 days after the certification of the petition is presented at a regular

meeting, the special district board shall either adopt the ordinance, without alteration, or immediately order that the ordinance without alteration, be submitted to the voters at a special election or the next statewide election, pursuant to Elections Code § 1405(a) or (b).

If the proposed ordinance goes to election, there are

additional deadlines, including submission of direct and rebuttal arguments, submission of impartial analysis, public examination of arguments and impartial analysis, and mailing of sample ballot pamphlets. A separate election calendar would be provided with these dates.

If proposed ordinance the ordinance shall be considered as adopted upon the is approved by voters date the vote is declared by the district board, and shall go into effect 10 days after that date.

*After the random sampling has been conducted, if it is determined a 100% signature verification is needed, the entity shall, within 60 days from the filing of the petition, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, examine and verify each signature.