​​The chief petitioner prepares and organizes an initiative, referendum or recall petition. Responsibilities include:

• Signing and filing a statement to provide required information for all chief petitioners
• Establishing a petition committee
  
• Educating and monitoring circulators
• Collecting signatures
• Submitting signatures

Initiative and Referendum Petitions

Anyone acting individually or on behalf of an organization may sponsor an initiative or referendum petition as a chief petitioner.

An initiative or referendum may have up to 3 chief petitioners. At least 1 original chief petitioner must remain throughout the process. Up to 3 chief petitioners may be added before the elections official approves the cover and signature sheet for circulation. The petition must be refiled if all original chief petitioners resign.

Recall Petitions

A recall petition has only 1 chief petitioner.

For a recall petition, the chief petitioner must be a registered voter in the same district in which the public office holder was elected or appointed.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​