How does the issue of local option sales tax get on the ballot?

LOST
Sales Tax

Countywide: 

  • A petition is presented to the county board of supervisors. The number of signatures must be equal to 5 percent of the persons in the county who voted in the preceding state general election. Eligible voters of the county must sign the petition; OR
  • A motion or motions of governing bodies within the county that represent at least half of the population of the county.

For individual cities and unincorporated territories: 

  • A petition is presented to the county board of supervisors. For cities, the number of signatures must be equal 5 percent of the persons in the the city (or portion of the city within the county); for unincorporated areas, the number of signatures must be equal 5 percent of the persons in the unincorporated portion of the county who voted in the preceding state general election; OR
  • For cities, a motion of the governing body of a city; for an unincorporated portion of the county, a motion of the governing body of the county.