A special session of the legislature can be called by presenting the governor with a petition signed by _____ of the members in each house.

A special session of the legislature in Arizona can indeed be initiated by a petition signed by two-thirds of the members in each house. This requirement ensures that a substantial majority of legislators agree on the necessity for an extraordinary session, reflecting a significant consensus among lawmakers before convening outside the regular legislative calendar.

The two-thirds threshold serves several purposes. It prevents a small minority from triggering a special session without substantial backing, ensuring that the topics to be addressed are deemed important enough by most legislators. This high bar promotes stability and thoughtful consideration of whether the state needs to convene for issues that arise between regular sessions.

In contrast, options proposing other thresholds, such as half, three-quarters, or a simple majority, would not adequately ensure that the decision to hold a special session reflects a strong legislative mandate. A lower requirement could lead to frequent or frivolous special sessions, undermining legislative efficiency and focus. Thus, the correct answer represents a balance between accessibility and responsibility in governance.