Initiatives in US Politics

Introduction

An initiative is a state-based vote on a specific issue that has been organised by the voter themselves

Enables voters to bypass state legislature by placing proposed laws on the ballot

24 states have a proposition process

A Direct Initiative is when an initiative measure, either an initiated state statute or initiated constitutional amendment, is placed directly on the ballot for voters to reject or pass.

An indirect initiative refers to a process where after sufficient signatures to place a measure on the ballot are collected, the measure is first considered by a state or local legislative body.

Why are initiatives on the increase?

Widespread distrust of politicians (e.g. Mark Foley scandal)

Failures to address issues that voters are concerned about (e.g. minimum wage has not been raised for several years)

Wedge issue = policies that concern one set of voters more than another set

Attempt by parties to boost turnout among core supporters: Republican 'wedge issues' are abortion and gay marriage, Democrat 'wedge issues' concern labour laws and the minimum wage

Advantages

Help increase turnout - studies suggest initiatives increase turnout in mid-term elections by 1.7%

Provides a way of enacting reforms on controversial matters that state legislatures are often unwilling/unable to act upon (e.g. campaign finance reform and medical marijuana is legal in California due to an initiative)

Existence of a proposition can increase the responsiveness of state legislatures and increase their performance and accountability

May increase citizen interest and encourage other forms of participation

Disadvantages

Impact on minority rights e.g. Oklahoma voters chose to ban Sharia law

Influence of special interests - difficulty in getting an issue on the state ballot (California requires 5% of the vote) means that only those with resources can pay firms to help meet requirements

Impact on representative government - California's perpetual budget crises have stemmed partly from ballot initiatives that ban the raising of certain taxes

Initiatives lack flexibility - once it's been put on the state ballot it cannot be amended until after it has been adopted

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