City of GF still has Fuefeng petitions under review

Supporters of a petition drive to require a public vote on the proposed Fufeng project are questioning the use of the Grand Forks Police Department to review the petition itself.

They fear the city is working to invalidate the signatures to avoid placing the issue on the ballot. In a Facebook response Council President Dana Sande stated “This isn’t meant to stop it, it’s meant to make sure it can move forward. That’s all there is to it.”

During this week’s council meeting City Attorney Dan Gaustad said the city is required by code to do its due diligence.  “There’s a requirement that the full text of what is being referred is either contained within that petition document or attached to it.  Each petition document also has to has the names of three electors that are the committee from the petitioners.  In each petition document also has to have an affidavit by the circulator affirming that they believe they are qualified electors for the City of Grand Forks.”

The city has until April 12th to verify the petition language and to ensure there are 3,617 valid signatures. If the petitions are deemed insufficient organizers would have seven days to correct or amend the petitions.

Ballot language needs to be submitted to the county auditor by April 11th in order to be included in the June general election.

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