Citizen Petition; Submission

A citizens’ petition is an instrument of direct democracy at the local level. Through a citizens’ petition, residents of a municipality can require the relevant municipal body (city council, committee, mayor) or residents of a county can require the relevant county body to address a specific matter at a meeting.

A citizens’ petition must pertain to municipal matters at the municipal level and to district matters at the district level. It may not concern a matter for which a citizens’ petition has already been filed within one year prior to the submission of the petition.

A citizens’ petition at the municipal level must be signed by at least 1% of the municipality’s residents. Only municipal residents are eligible to sign. The citizens’ petition must be submitted to the municipality along with a statement of reasons. In addition, up to three individuals must be designated who are authorized to represent the signatories. The same applies at the county level.

If there are no legal objections to the citizens’ petition, the competent municipal or county body determines its admissibility. It must then address the citizens’ petition.

The municipal or district body responsible for handling the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens’ petition within one month of its submission.

If the petition is found to be admissible, the competent municipal body—or, at the district level, the district body—must address it within three months.

The municipal or district body responsible for handling the matter must decide on the admissibility of the citizens’ petition within one month of its submission.

If the petition is found to be admissible, the competent municipal body—or, at the district level, the district body—must address it within three months.