The Maine secretary of state’s office has verified that a citizens’ petition to reduce car excise taxes had more than the required number of signatures to be on the fall ballot.

The measure would cut excise taxes in half for the first five years a car is registered.

Melissa Packard, director of Maine elections, said Wednesday the petition needed 55,087 valid signatures of voters. It had 58,002. The verification was completed Feb. 23. A five-day challenge period ends at 5 p.m. on Monday, March 2, Packard said.

It then would be sent to the Legislature, which could either pass the measure or send it to voters in a November referendum.

If voters approved the measure, it would become effective in January 2010, according to the Maine Municipal Association.