In accordance with the procedures hereinafter provided, the people reserve the power to propose by their own initiative and to enact ordinances, independent of the Council; to approve or reject any ordinance by referendum; and to recall an elective County Officer.
Initiative petitions may propose ordinances or the repeal of ordinances on any subject except ordinances concerning appropriations for the budgetary support of County Government and the payment of principal and interest on the County's debts, or ordinances concerning the borrowing of funds in anticipation of taxes, or directing the issuance of bonds previously authorized at an election, or ordinances establishing tax rates, or ordinances proposing amendments to the County Zoning Order. Such petitions shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least five percent (5%) of the total cast for Governor in each of two thirds (2/3) of the Council Districts at the last election at which a Governor was chosen. The petitioners must file with the Director of Elections an intent to circulate an initiative petition and shall have a maximum of twelve (12) months to collect the required signatures after notice of that intent. Each petition shall contain not more than one (1) subject which shall be expressed clearly in the title and 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. Charles County." Such petitions shall be filed not less than six (6) months before the next general election with the Director of Elections who shall be the judge of their sufficiency. The proposed ordinance shall be submitted to the voters at the next general election held at least six (6) months after the petitions are filed. An affirmative vote of a majority of those voting on the proposition shall be sufficient for its adoption.
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 (20%) 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 Director of Elections who 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 (30) days after the petitions are filed. If the petitions are filed more than ninety (90) days before any such election, the question shall be submitted at a special election called by the Director of Elections. If the majority of the votes cast on the question at the election are in favor of the recall, the office shall become vacant immediately upon certification of the results by the Director of Elections. All recall proceedings shall at once be discontinued upon the death, resignation or removal of the officer whose recall is in question.