An initiatory or a referendary petition shall be signed by registered qualified electors of the city in number equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the active registration file of voters at the preceding state even-numbered year election prior to the filing of the petition. Before being circulated for signatures, all such petitions shall be approved as to form by the clerk. No such petition need be on one paper, but may be the aggregate of two (2) or more petition papers, each containing a copy of the issue. Each signer of a petition shall sign his name in ink or indelible pencil, and shall place thereon after his name, the date and his place of residence by street and number. To each petition paper there shall be attached a certificate by the circulator thereof, stating the number of signers thereto and that each signature thereon is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be, and that it was made in the presence of the circulator. Any such petition shall be filed with the clerk who shall, within ten (10) days, determine the sufficiency thereof and so certify.
In the case of initiatory petitions, any signatures obtained more than ninety (90) days before filing of such petition with the clerk shall not be counted. If found to contain an insufficient number of signatures of qualified registered electors of the city, or to be improper as to form or compliance with the provisions of this section, ten (10) days shall be allowed for the filing of supplemental petition papers. When found sufficient and proper, the clerk shall present the petition to the council at its next regular meetings. If found not to be in compliance with this section, no further action will be had with these petitions.