Initiative Petitions and Referenda

The Undergraduate Student Government, per the USG Charter, may facilitate a referendum vote on behalf of the student body (submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative).

Types of Petitions

Initiative petitions 

  • A valid initiative petition shall contain the valid written signatures and kent.edu email of registered undergraduate students. A petition shall include text outlining the changes asking to be made to a specific section of the USG bylaws or in the form of a resolution. 

  • Such petitions shall be submitted to the president for validation and referral to the USG. 2% of the Student body needs USG to consider a particular issue.

  • Once the petitions are approved, they will be brought to the floor of USG and voted on by the student body representatives during a public meeting.

Campus Referendum 

  • A valid Referendum petition shall contain the valid written signatures and kent.edu email of registered undergraduate students. A petition shall include text outlining the issues being addressed or recalling a USG officer. 

  • Such petitions shall be submitted to the president for validation and referral to the USG. 8% of the Student body needs a referendum to be initiated.

  • Once the petitions are approved, the USG President will work to hold the referendum vote. Open to all Undergraduate students for voting and to solidify a voting date no later than 4 weeks after the approved petition.

Kent State ( All 8 Campuses)  Referendum 

A valid Referendum petition shall contain the valid written signatures and kent.edu email of registered undergraduate students. A petition shall include text outlining any issues being addressed and/or USG charter changes 

  • Such petitions shall be submitted to the president for validation and referral to the USG. 8% of the Student body of all campuses needs a referendum to be initiated.

    Once the petitions are approved, the USG President will work to make the referendum vote in tandem with all Kent State University campuses and USG. Open to all Undergraduate students for voting and to solidify a voting date no later than 8 weeks after the approved petition.


Requirements for petitions 

Legal and valid petitions bearing the written signatures and kent.edu email of the following percentages of the registered undergraduate student body shall be sufficient for the purpose indicated:

  • 2% of the Student body for USG to consider a particular issue.

  • 8% of the Student body for a referendum on any specified issue or issues.

  • 8% of the Student body for a proposed USG Charter amendment.

  • 8% of the Student body requires a referendum on recalling a USG officer.


All petitions shall include text outlining the changes being made or suggested. Petitions shall be submitted to the USG Office of the President for the approval of the USG President. Any denied petitions will be final and accompanied by a reason.