What are Arvada Ballot Questions 3E and 3F?

ARVADA, CO. – Arvada voters will be asked four ballot questions to change the City of Arvada Charter. The Arvada Charter is reviewed every 10 years by a committee of Arvada citizens and can only be changed by Arvada voters.

Ballot question 3E asks Arvada voters: "Shall Chapter V, Section 5.13, "Initiative Procedures” of the Arvada City Charter concerning procedures for submitting initiative petitions, be amended by increasing the amount of time permitted to gather signatures on an initiative petition from 30 days to 60 days?"

An initiative is the way that citizens can place a proposed ordinance directly onto the ballot. A valid petition requires the signatures of ten percent of the number who voted in the previous municipal election. The population of Arvada has increased significantly in recent years, and, accordingly, the number of voters has also increased. The increased number of voters means that more signatures are required for an Initiative petition. It is reasonable to allow more time to gather the increased number of signatures.

Ballot question 3F asks Arvada voters: "Shall Chapter V, Section 5.14, “Referendum Procedures” of the Arvada City Charter concerning procedures for submitting referendum petitions, be amended be amended by increasing the amount of time permitted to gather signatures on an initiative petition from 30 days to 60 days?"

A referendum is the way that citizens can overturn, or repeal, an ordinance enacted by the city council. A valid petition for referendum requires the signatures of then percent of the number who voted in the previous municipal election. Again, because of the increase in our population and the number of voters in recent elections, the required number of signatures has also increased. It is reasonable to allow more time to gather the increased number of signatures.

"The Charter Citizens Review committee worked for four months to complete a comprehensive review of the current city charter," said Arvada City Council member John Marriott. "The final recommendations put before the council were reasonable and I look forward to seeing these issues on the ballot for Arvada citizens to consider this November."

More information about the Arvada ballot issues can be found at www.ArvadaCharter.com or by contacting Mark McGoff, Chair of the 2021 Arvada Charter Review Committee at 303-945-0059 or via email at mlmcg41@comcast.net.