Popular petition
The ancient assembly of family heads lives today as the Istanza d'Arengo: on the first Sunday after the oath of the new Captains Regent, every citizen, individually or in groups, submits to the Regency questions of public interest to be brought before Parliament during the mandate. When the Great and General Council accepts a petition, the State Congress is bound to turn it into law.
Political and local
Every five years the electorate renews the 60 Councillors of the Great and General Council with a list vote and up to three preferences. Local elections, held every four years, instead designate the members of the Giunte di Castello and the Capitano di Castello of each of the nine administrative districts of the Republic.
Three forms
| Type | Object |
|---|---|
| Abrogative | Total or partial repeal of an existing rule |
| Propositive | Proposal to introduce a new rule or institution |
| Confirmative | Popular validation of a law already approved by Parliament |
To start the procedure, the promoting committee deposits the question signed by 60 voters. Admissibility is assessed by the Collegio Garante, which checks consistency with the legal order and the absence of matters excluded from referendum.