Fulton Action on Petitions ordinance (Charter § 10.6)

(a) Action by Council on Initiative and Referendum Petitions. When an initiative or referendum petition has been finally determined sufficient, the council shall promptly consider the proposed initiative ordinance in the manner provided in Article III or reconsider the referred ordinance by voting its repeal. If the council fails to adopt a proposed initiative ordinance without any change in substance within sixty (60) calendar days or fails to repeal the referred ordinance within thirty (30) calendar days after the date the petition was finally determined sufficient, it shall submit the proposed or referred ordinance to the voters of the city.

(b) Submission to Voters of Proposed or Referred Ordinances. The vote of the city on a proposed or referred ordinance shall be held on an available election date under state law which is not later than one (1) year from the date of the final council vote thereon. If no regular city election is to be held within the period prescribed in this subsection, the council shall provide for a special election; otherwise, the vote shall be held at the same time as such regular election, except that the council may in its discretion provide for a special election at an earlier date within the prescribed period. Copies of the proposed or referred ordinance shall be made available at the polls.

(c) Action by Council on Recall Petitions. When a recall petition has been certified to the city council as sufficient by the city clerk, the city council within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of receipt of such certificate shall adopt an ordinance calling an election to submit the question to the voters of the city entitled to vote thereon. Such election shall be called for the next available election date under state law, provided that if such date is within the last six (6) months of the term of the official sought to be recalled, the council shall not be required to submit the question to the voters of the city. If such office becomes vacant prior to the election, such election shall be canceled, and the vacancy shall be filled as provided in this charter.

(d) Form of Recall Ballot. The ballot shall be in the following form:

SHALL (Name/Title) BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE?

[ ] YES [ ] NO

Voters in favor of the removal place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "Yes".

Voters opposed to the removal place a cross (X) in the square opposite the word "No".

If voting machines or devices other than printed ballots are used, the ballot shall be prepared in a form so as to give the elector an opportunity to vote substantially as set forth above.

(e)

Withdrawal of Petitions. An initiative, referendum or recall petition may be withdrawn at any time prior to the fifteenth (15th) business day preceding the day scheduled for a vote of the city by filing with the city clerk a request for withdrawal signed by at least four (4) members of the petitioners' committee. Upon the filing of such request the petition shall have no further force or effect and all proceedings thereon shall be terminated.