Opinion ID: 2632217
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Time for Filing Petitions with Secretary of State

Text: Armstrong argues that section 1-40-107(5) prohibits circulation of the petition for signature until our appellate decision is final. We disagree. Armstrong confuses the role of the Supreme Court in reviewing the final action of the Title Board with the role of the Title Board in fixing and determining titles and summary. In addition, section 1-40-107(5) only addresses the filing of petitions with the Secretary of State, not the circulation of petitions for voter signatures. Specifically, section 1-40-107(5) provides that: In the event of a petition for rehearing, the period for filing a petition in accordance with section 1-40-108 shall not begin until a final decision concerning the motion is rendered by the title board or the Colorado supreme court. (Emphasis added.) Thus, section 1-40-107(5) does not prohibit circulating a petition during an appeal of the Title Board's action. Rather, the distinction in this section between the Title Board's final decision and our final decision pertains only to the timing of filing a signed petition with the Secretary of State. Similarly, under section 1-40-108: No petition for any ballot issue shall be of any effect unless filed with the secretary of state within six months from the date that the titles and submission clause have been fixed and determined pursuant to the provisions of sections 1-40-106 and 1-40-107 and unless filed with the secretary of state within the time required by the constitution before the election at which it is to be voted upon. (Emphasis added.) Furthermore, section 1-40-107(5) provides that under no circumstances shall the period for filing a petition be extended beyond three months prior to the election at which the petition is to be voted upon. (Emphasis added.) Clearly, the General Assembly intended, through these provisions, to extend the period for filing a signed petition with the Secretary of State by the length of time required for review by either the Title Board or the supreme court. However, no petition can be filed with the Secretary of State later than three months prior to the election at which the voters will consider it. § 1-40-107(5) [5] . Proponents filed their signed petition with the Secretary of State on August 2, 2000, three months prior to the November 7, 2000 General Election. Thus, they timely gathered the required number of valid signatures, accomplishing this in a period of less than four months. In doing so, they complied with sections 1-40-106 and 1-40-108, and the Secretary of State properly issued her sufficiency determination and her certification of the Initiative to the ballot.