K.S.A. » Chapter 12
Kansas Statutes Annotated

K.S.A. § 12-3013 (2026)

Petition for proposed ordinance; requirements; passage or election; form of ballot; approval, effect; amendment or repeal; publication

✓ current as of May 2026
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12-3013. Petition for proposed ordinance; requirements; passage or election; form of ballot; approval, effect; amendment or repeal; publication. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), a proposed ordinance may be submitted to the governing body of any city accompanied by a petition as provided by this section. Such petition shall be signed by electors equal in number to at least 25% in cities of the first class, and 40% in cities of the second and third class, of the electors who voted at the last preceding regular city election as shown by the poll books and shall contain a request that the governing body pass the ordinance or submit the same to a vote of the electors. Such ordinance and petition shall be filed with the city clerk.

The signatures on the petition need not all be appended to one paper, but each signer shall include the signer's place of residence, giving the street and number (if there are street numbers). One person signing each paper shall make oath before an officer competent to administer oaths that such person believes the statements therein and that each signature to the paper appended is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be. If the petition accompanying the proposed ordinance is signed by the required number of electors qualified to sign, the governing body shall either (a) pass such ordinance without alteration within 20 days after attachment of the clerk's certificate to the accompanying petition; or (b) if not passed within 20 days, forthwith call a special election, unless a regular city election is to be held within 90 days thereafter, and at such special or regular city election submit the ordinance, without alteration, to the vote of the electors of the city.

(b) The ballots used when voting upon the ordinance shall set forth the proposed ordinance in full or submit the proposed ordinance by title generally descriptive of the contents thereof. Each proposed ordinance set forth in full or submitted by title generally descriptive of the contents thereof shall be preceded by the words, "Shall the following be adopted?" If there is more than one proposed ordinance to be voted upon, the different proposed ordinances shall be separately numbered and printed, and the ballots shall conform to the requirements of K.S.A. 25-605, and amendments thereto.

(c) If a majority of the qualified electors voting on the proposed ordinance votes in favor thereof, such ordinance shall thereupon become a valid and binding ordinance of the city. Any ordinance proposed by a petition as herein provided and passed by the governing body or adopted by a vote of the electors, shall not be repealed or amended except (1) by a vote of the electors, or (2) by the governing body, if the ordinance has been in effect for 10 years from the date of publication, if passed by the governing body, or from the date of the election, if adopted by a vote of the electors. Any number of proposed ordinances may be voted upon at the same election, in accordance with the provisions of this section, but there shall not be more than one special election in any period of six months for such purpose. Mayors having veto power shall not veto any such ordinance, and if passed by the council or commission the mayor shall sign the ordinance.

(d) The governing body may submit a proposition for the repeal of any such ordinance, or for amendments thereto, to be voted upon at any succeeding regular city election. If such proposition so submitted receives a majority of the votes cast thereon at such election, such ordinance shall thereby be repealed or amended accordingly. Whenever any ordinance or proposition is required by this act to be submitted to the electors of the city at any election, the city shall cause such ordinance or proposition to be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in the official city paper. Such publication shall be not more than 20 or less than five days before the election. Any ordinance heretofore passed or made effective by election under the provisions of section 12-107 of the General Statutes of 1949 shall continue in effect but may be amended or repealed as herein provided.

(e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to:

(1) Administrative ordinances;

(2) ordinances relating to a public improvement to be paid wholly or in part by the levy of special assessments; or

(3) ordinances subject to referendum or election under another statute.

History: L. 1959, ch. 64, § 13; L. 1979, ch. 57, § 1; L. 1981, ch. 173, § 31; July 1.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1978–2025 · leading case: State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016).
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State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). · cites it 68× “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
McAlister v. City of Fairway, 212 P.3d 184 (Kan. 2009). · cites it 16× “: This is an appeal from a district court’s decision on cross-motions for summary judgment involving two proposed city ordinances advanced by citizens of the City of Fairway, Kansas (City), through the initiative and referendum authority granted in K.S.A. 12-3013. The district…”
City of Topeka v. Imming, 344 P.3d 957 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 11× “” Citing K.S.A. 12-3013 as authority, the petition called for either the repeal of Ordinance No.”
City of Wichita v. Kansas Taxpayers Network, Inc., 874 P.2d 667 (Kan. 1994). · cites it 6× “, and Karl Peterjohn (Taxpayers) through initiative and referendum authority of K.S.A. 12-3013 attempted to repeal Ordinance 41-948.”
Rauh v. City of Hutchinson, 575 P.2d 517 (Kan. 1978). · cites it 5× “On April 13, 1976, plaintiff again appeared before the commission to advise that petitions, under the initiative and referendum statute (K.S.A. 12-3013), seeking the enactment of an ordinance declaring that no bonds be issued under resolution #1637, were being circulated to the…”
City of Wichita v. Peterjohn, 522 P.3d 385 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 25× “Under the initiative process relevant to this appeal: • Citizens seeking to initiate a new policy must present voters with the language of a proposed ordinance and gather a minimum number of signatures, determined by the size of the municipality and the number of voters who…”
City of Wichita v. Fitzgerald, 916 P.2d 1301 (Kan. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 6× “; Brian Fitzgerald and Gregory Pederzani proposed an ordinance (Proposed Ordinance) under K.S.A. 12-3013. On August 19, 1994, the City of Wichita (City) filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking a determination that the Proposed Ordinance is not the proper subject of…”
Ramcharan-Maharajh v. Gilliland, 286 P.3d 216 (Kan. Ct. App. 2012). “” *141 Initiatives in Kansas are authorized by one broad statute, K.S.A. 12-3013. But referendums, brought about by protest petitions, are authorized by about 40 different statutes concerning specific subjects.”
Hartman v. City of Mission, 233 P.3d 755 (Kan. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “See K.S.A. 12-3013; McAlister v. City of Fairway, 289 Kan.”
Jayhawk Racing Props., LLC v. City of Topeka, 432 P.3d 678 (Kan. Ct. App. 2018). “19915 was an "administrative" or a "legislative" matter to determine whether the ordinance was subject to the initiative and referendum petition process under K.S.A. 12-3013(e)(1). The Imming court found: "[W]e cannot see this as a subject of statewide concern as contemplated by…”
City of Prairie Vill. v. PV United (Kan. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 6× “It was properly brought forward for a vote from the city planning commission, replacing the 2007 plan. Such plans are authorized under state statute and "constitute the basis or guide for public action to insure a coordinated and harmonious development or redevelopment which…”
In re Petition to Summon Grand Jury, 423 P.3d 1044 (Kan. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “When Wichita received notice that the petition contained the requisite number of signatures of qualified electors, the city submitted the issue to voters in a special election.”
Show all 13 citing cases →
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(a) — 8 cases
State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
McAlister v. City of Fairway, 212 P.3d 184 (Kan. 2009). “: This is an appeal from a district court’s decision on cross-motions for summary judgment involving two proposed city ordinances advanced by citizens of the City of Fairway, Kansas (City), through the initiative and referendum authority granted in K.S.A. 12-3013. The district…”
City of Wichita v. Peterjohn, 522 P.3d 385 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “Under the initiative process relevant to this appeal: • Citizens seeking to initiate a new policy must present voters with the language of a proposed ordinance and gather a minimum number of signatures, determined by the size of the municipality and the number of voters who…”
City of Wichita v. Fitzgerald, 916 P.2d 1301 (Kan. Ct. App. 1996). “; Brian Fitzgerald and Gregory Pederzani proposed an ordinance (Proposed Ordinance) under K.S.A. 12-3013. On August 19, 1994, the City of Wichita (City) filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking a determination that the Proposed Ordinance is not the proper subject of…”
City of Topeka v. Imming, 344 P.3d 957 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “” Citing K.S.A. 12-3013 as authority, the petition called for either the repeal of Ordinance No.”
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(b) — 3 cases
State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
City of Wichita v. Peterjohn, 522 P.3d 385 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “Under the initiative process relevant to this appeal: • Citizens seeking to initiate a new policy must present voters with the language of a proposed ordinance and gather a minimum number of signatures, determined by the size of the municipality and the number of voters who…”
City of Prairie Vill. v. PV United (Kan. Ct. App. 2025). “It was properly brought forward for a vote from the city planning commission, replacing the 2007 plan. Such plans are authorized under state statute and "constitute the basis or guide for public action to insure a coordinated and harmonious development or redevelopment which…”
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(c) — 2 cases
State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
City of Wichita v. Peterjohn, 522 P.3d 385 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “Under the initiative process relevant to this appeal: • Citizens seeking to initiate a new policy must present voters with the language of a proposed ordinance and gather a minimum number of signatures, determined by the size of the municipality and the number of voters who…”
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(e) — 4 cases
State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
McAlister v. City of Fairway, 212 P.3d 184 (Kan. 2009). “: This is an appeal from a district court’s decision on cross-motions for summary judgment involving two proposed city ordinances advanced by citizens of the City of Fairway, Kansas (City), through the initiative and referendum authority granted in K.S.A. 12-3013. The district…”
City of Wichita v. Kansas Taxpayers Network, Inc., 874 P.2d 667 (Kan. 1994). “, and Karl Peterjohn (Taxpayers) through initiative and referendum authority of K.S.A. 12-3013 attempted to repeal Ordinance 41-948.”
City of Wichita v. Peterjohn, 522 P.3d 385 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “Under the initiative process relevant to this appeal: • Citizens seeking to initiate a new policy must present voters with the language of a proposed ordinance and gather a minimum number of signatures, determined by the size of the municipality and the number of voters who…”
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(e)(1) — 4 cases
State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
City of Wichita v. Peterjohn, 522 P.3d 385 (Kan. Ct. App. 2022). “Under the initiative process relevant to this appeal: • Citizens seeking to initiate a new policy must present voters with the language of a proposed ordinance and gather a minimum number of signatures, determined by the size of the municipality and the number of voters who…”
Jayhawk Racing Props., LLC v. City of Topeka, 432 P.3d 678 (Kan. Ct. App. 2018). “19915 was an "administrative" or a "legislative" matter to determine whether the ordinance was subject to the initiative and referendum petition process under K.S.A. 12-3013(e)(1). The Imming court found: "[W]e cannot see this as a subject of statewide concern as contemplated by…”
City of Prairie Vill. v. PV United (Kan. Ct. App. 2025). “It was properly brought forward for a vote from the city planning commission, replacing the 2007 plan. Such plans are authorized under state statute and "constitute the basis or guide for public action to insure a coordinated and harmonious development or redevelopment which…”
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(e)(3) — 1 case
City of Topeka v. Imming, 344 P.3d 957 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “” Citing K.S.A. 12-3013 as authority, the petition called for either the repeal of Ordinance No.”
— K.S.A. § 12-3013(e)(l) — 4 cases
McAlister v. City of Fairway, 212 P.3d 184 (Kan. 2009). “: This is an appeal from a district court’s decision on cross-motions for summary judgment involving two proposed city ordinances advanced by citizens of the City of Fairway, Kansas (City), through the initiative and referendum authority granted in K.S.A. 12-3013. The district…”
State ex rel. Schmidt v. City of Wichita, 367 P.3d 282 (Kan. 2016). “Relying upon the Kansas initiative and referendum statute, 2 K.S.A. 12-3013, the city council had submitted a general description of the proposed ordinance as a ballot question, which was approved by city electors during the April 2015 general election.”
City of Topeka v. Imming, 344 P.3d 957 (Kan. Ct. App. 2015). “” Citing K.S.A. 12-3013 as authority, the petition called for either the repeal of Ordinance No.”
City of Wichita v. Fitzgerald, 916 P.2d 1301 (Kan. Ct. App. 1996). “; Brian Fitzgerald and Gregory Pederzani proposed an ordinance (Proposed Ordinance) under K.S.A. 12-3013. On August 19, 1994, the City of Wichita (City) filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking a determination that the Proposed Ordinance is not the proper subject of…”
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