(a) An initiative petition or a referendum petition shall contain a copy of the ordinance initiated or sought to be referred. A copy of the petition shall be filed with the City Clerk before copies are circulated for signatures. The petition shall then be signed by a number of qualified voters of the City equal at least to twenty-five percent (25%) of the total votes cast at the immediately preceding regular City election.

(b) An initiative petition with sufficient signatures must be filed within one month after the copy was originally filed as hereinabove provided. If the referendum petition with sufficient signatures is filed within one month after passage and publication of the ordinance sought to be referred, the ordinance sought to be referred shall not go into effect until the petition is finally found to be illegal and/or insufficient, or, in case the petition is found to be legal and sufficient, until the voters approve the ordinance as provided below in this article. Each copy of an initiative or a referendum petition filed must bear an affidavit signed by the qualified voter of the City who circulated the copy stating that each of the signers who signed the copy signed it in the person’s presence, that he/she believes that each has stated their name and address correctly, and that he/she believes each signer is a qualified voter of the City.

(c) Within one month after the petition is filed, the City Clerk, with such assistance from the City Attorney as the City Clerk deems necessary, shall ascertain whether the petition is legal and has sufficient signatures, and shall certify the finding. The City Clerk’s finding shall be subject to judicial review.