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Article IX
Initiative, Referendum and Recall

Section 9.010. In accordance with the procedures hereinafter provided, the people reserve the power to propose and enact or reject ordinances independent of the council, to approve or reject ordinances by referendum, and to recall an elective county officer.

Section 9.020. Initiative petitions may propose ordinances on any subject except ordinances on subjects which by this charter become effective immediately upon enactment. Such petitions shall be signed by qualified voters equal in number to at least five percent of the total vote cast for governor in each of two thirds of the council districts at the last election at which a governor was chosen. Each petition shall contain the full text of the measure and an enacting clause which shall read as follows: "Be it enacted by the people of St. Louis County:". Such petitions shall be filed with the office or officer charged with conducting elections in the county which shall be the judge of their sufficiency. The proposed ordinance shall be submitted to the voters at the next general election held at least sixty days after the petitions are filed. An affirmative vote of a majority of those voting on the proposition shall be sufficient for its adoption.

Section 9.030. Petitions signed by five hundred registered voters and filed with the county clerk within ten days of the enactment of any ordinance, except ordinances which become effective immediately upon enactment, shall serve to postpone for forty days the effective date of such ordinance. Petitions proposing a referendum on such ordinance shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least five percent of the total vote cast for governor in each of the council districts at the last election at which a governor was chosen and shall be filed before the new effective date of such ordinance. Such petitions shall be filed with the office or officer charged with conducting elections in the county which shall be the judge of their sufficiency. The question of approving or rejecting the ordinance shall be submitted at the next general election held at least sixty days after the petitions are filed. Any measure referred to the people shall take effect when approved by a majority of the votes cast thereon. This section shall not be construed to deprive any member of the council of the right to introduce any measure.

 Section 9.040. Petitions demanding the recall of any county elective officer shall be signed by registered voters in the county or the council district, as the case may be, equal in number to at least twenty percent of the total vote cast for governor therein at the last election at which a governor was chosen. Such petitions shall be filed with the office or officer charged with conducting elections in the county which shall be the judge of their sufficiency. The question shall be submitted to the voters in the county or council district, as the case may be, at the next primary or general election held at least thirty days after the petitions are filed, except that if the petitions be filed more than ninety days before any such election the question shall be submitted at a special election called by the office or officer charged with conducting elections in the county. If the majority of the votes cast on the question at the election be in favor of the recall, the office shall become vacant immediately upon certification of the results by the office or officer charged with conducting elections in the county. All recall proceedings shall at once be discontinued upon the death, resignation or removal of the officer whose recall is in question.