VENTURA : Ballot Initiative Deposit Up for Vote

The Ventura City Council is expected Monday to adopt a mandatory $200 deposit for ballot initiative petitions.

The fee will be refunded after city officials verify that the signatures on the petitions are valid, City Clerk Barbara Kam said.

Kam said the rule is being established “to stymie frivolous initiatives.”

But Kam acknowledged that few ballot initiatives have been introduced in the city’s history. In the 32 years she has been a city employee, Kam said she recalled only about five initiatives.

For a special election, 15% of registered voters in the city must sign a petition initiative, Kam said. During odd-numbered years, when the city holds council elections, signatures of 10% of the registered voters would be required, Kam said.