§ 2-12. Petition format.

(a)

A petition containing a proposed ordinance setting forth a charter amendment or initiative ordinance shall be circulated for signatures only if the format of the petition complies with this section, as determined by the supervisor of elections. To be sufficient, the petition form must be printed on separate cards or individual sheets of paper. The minimum size of such forms shall be three (3) inches by five (5) inches, and the maximum size shall be eight and one-half (8½) inches by eleven (11) inches. The petition form's size shall be computed by utilizing the outer boundary of the form. Additional material may be attached; however, when detached, the petition must be consistent with the dimensions provided for herein. Each form shall contain space for only one elector's signature. Forms providing for multiple signatures shall not be approved by the supervisor of elections.

(b)

The petition form shall conspicuously contain the full text of the amendment or ordinance being proposed. Should the text be required to be printed on both sides of the form, it shall clearly indicate that the text is continued or begins on the other side. The petition form shall also include adequate space for the signatory's printed name, street address, city, precinct number, and signature. The precinct number is intended for informational purposes only. Failure to include a precinct number in an otherwise valid petition shall not invalidate such petition, whether or not it was circulated prior to the effective date hereof.

(c)

The top of the petition form shall be clearly and conspicuously entitled "Proposed Charter Amendment Petition Form," or "Proposed Initiative Ordinance Petition Form," as the case may be. Additional materials supporting the proposed amendment or ordinance, or providing a method by which the petition form may be returned by mail, may be printed on the form. The supervisor of elections shall not review the accuracy or content of such material, but will review to determine that such information does not interfere with required material.

(d)

Each form shall be deemed a political advertisement as defined by law and shall contain the identity of the petition's sponsor(s) and the disclaimer required by F.S. § 106.143. The circulator(s) of a charter amendment or initiative ordinance petition shall file with the supervisor of elections as a political committee pursuant to F.S. ch. 106.

(e)

Petition forms may be reproduced in newspapers, magazines and other forms of printed mass media, provided such forms are reproduced in the same format as approved by the supervisor of elections. The petition forms may be included within a larger advertisement, provided the forms are clearly defined by a solid or broken-line border.

(f)

Any change in a previously approved petition form, or additional types of petition forms, to be circulated by a previously approved circulator, shall be submitted to the supervisor of elections for approval in accordance with this division. However, when a petition form is changed, no signatures obtained before the change shall be counted by the supervisor of elections in determining whether a sufficient number of signatures has been obtained.

(g)

The political committee formed by the circulator(s) and the supervisor of elections shall be subject to provisions of F.S. § 99.097(3) and (4) and such other provisions of law as may be applicable to the process of verification of signatures on petitions.

(h)

It is the responsibility of the circulator(s) of a petition to:

(1)

Develop the format of the petition;

(2)

Mass produce the petition;

(3)

Circulate the petition for signatures;

(4)

Timely present signed petitions to the supervisor of elections;

(5)

Determine the legal requirements of a petition, both substantive and procedural. As the office of county attorney represents the county it cannot serve as legal advisor to the circulator(s) due to the possibility of conflict in professional representation. Any such legal advice rendered by the office of county attorney shall be to and for the benefit of the county or its duly authorized officers and not the circulator(s), sponsor(s), or proponent(s) of a petition.

(Ord. No. 92-17, § 2, 5-18-92; Ord. No. 12-27, § 2, 7-31-12)