The referral is filed with the appropriate filing officer.

• The state governing body is the Legislature. Referrals are filed with the Oregon Secretary of State.
  
  
• The county governing body is the county court or county board of commissioners. Referrals are filed with the officer responsible for conducting elections and administering election laws at the county level, usually the county clerk.
  
  
• The city governing body is the city council. Referrals are filed with the officer responsible for administering election laws at the city level, usually the city recorder or city administrator.
  
  
• The district governing body is the district board of directors. Referrals are filed with the county court or board of county commissioners, district board or other body or officer authorized to call a district election.