A petition is a means by which voters can initiate legislation, recall elected officials, or call for a referendum. The process varies by state. To find out your state's process for starting a petition check with your local division of elections. Typically, you must submit an initial application. Once this application is certified, petition booklets are issued and the petition sponsors may start gathering signatures.
States have specific rules regarding the treatment of petitions and signatures.
These rules dictate any markings that can and cannot be made on the petition, how one verifies the signature is that of a registered voter, as well as how to certify a signature. Usually, signatures must be legible and signed in person with the person's address written next to their signature. A signature becomes certified when it can be identified as that of the registered voter. A primary is an election in which voters choose a candidate to run on the party ticket in the general election. Depending on the laws of the state, voters may cast ballots directly for the candidates themselves or indirectly for a slate of delegates.