Riverton Citizens for Constitutional Government v. Beckstead

OAKS, Justice:

In this appeal, we are called upon to construe the statutory requirements for a referendum on a city ordinance.

On March 4, 1980, the Riverton City Council, defendants in this action, passed an ordinance establishing the city manager form of government. On about March 27, 1980, opponents of that measure, plaintiffs in this action, submitted referendum petitions to the office of the Riverton City Recorder, seeking to refer that ordinance to the voters. After intervening events summarized below, the defendant city officials refused to place the referendum petition on the ballot,…