SoS home >  Elections home >  Initiatives home >  Initiative procedures & guidelines > Statement of sufficiency or insufficiency

Statement of sufficiency or insufficiency

No later than thirty calendar days after the petition was filed, the Secretary of State will issue a statement of sufficiency or insufficiency. This statement indicates whether a sufficient number of valid signatures have been submitted to certify the petition to the ballot.

In the event that the Secretary of State fails to issue a statement of sufficiency or insufficiency within 30 calendar days, the petition will be deemed sufficient.

For additional information, see section 1-40-117, C.R.S.

Public access to filed petitions

While the Secretary of State examines the petition for sufficiency (a period of no more than 30 days from the date of submission), the petition will not be available to the public for review. After the Secretary of State issues a statement of sufficiency or insufficiency, the petition will be available to the public.

For additional information, see sections 1-40-116(2) and 1-40-117(3)(b), C.R.S.

Protesting the Secretary of State's determination

Any registered elector may appeal the Secretary of State’s determination of sufficiency or insufficiency by filing a protest in the Denver District Court.

The protest must be:

• filed with the Court within 15 days of the statement of sufficiency or insufficiency;
• in writing;
• under oath; and
• the protester must submit three copies to the Court.

For additional information, see section 1-40-118, C.R.S.

Placement on the ballot

Once a petition is sufficient, the ballot title and submission clause is placed on the ballot. The proposal is numbered according to the requirements outlined in section 1-5-407, C.R.S and Rule 4.5.2(e)(1).

Withdrawal of an initiative petition

The designated representatives may withdraw an initiative from consideration by filing a letter with the Secretary of State requesting that the initiative not be placed on the ballot.

The letter must be signed and acknowledged by both designated representatives before a notary public. Additionally, the letter must be filed no later than 60 days prior to the election at which the initiative is to be voted upon.

Withdrawing as a designated representative

A designated representative is not permitted to withdraw or swap with another individual. If they do, then the initiative will be null and void.