PETITION OF:

By Ms. Coakley-Rivera of Springfield, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 636) of Cheryl A. Coakley-Rivera relative to initiative and referendum petitions in cities. Election Laws.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PETITION OF:

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In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

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An Act relative to initiative and referendum petitions in cities.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. General Laws chapter 43, section 38, is hereby amended by striking in line thirteen “registered voters” and inserting in place thereof “total votes cast for governor, excluding

blanks, in the municipality at the preceding biennial state election.”

SECTION 2. General Laws chapter 43, section 39, is hereby amended by striking in line two “whole number of registered voters” and inserting in place thereof “total votes cast for governor, excluding blanks, in the municipality at the preceding biennial state election.”

SECTION 3. General Laws chapter 43, section 40, is hereby amended by striking in line three “total number of registered voters” and inserting in place thereof “total votes cast for governor, excluding blanks, in the municipality at the preceding biennial state election.”

SECTION 4. General Laws, chapter 43, section 40, is hereby further amended by striking in line fifteen “one third of the whole number thereof ” and inserting in place thereof “at least 30% of the total number of ballots cast at such election.”

SECTION 5. General Laws chapter 43, section 41, is hereby amended by striking in line four “total number of registered voters” and inserting in place thereof “total votes cast for governor,

excluding blanks, in the municipality at the preceding biennial state election.”