Initiatives and Referendums

Archive Report

Direct Legislation

Renewed Interest in Direct Democracy

On nov. 2, voters across the country will go to the polls to choose their legislative representatives. But in 42 states and the District of Columbia, the electorate will be voting not only for legislators, but on legislation itself. The processes of referendum and initiative will allow voters in those areas to literally take the law into their own hands.

Referendums, available in some form in every state except Delaware, are statutes or state constitutional amendments1 that have been approved by the state legislature, but which are submitted to the voters for approval before they take effect. Initiatives, permitted in 23 states2 and the District of Columbia, are statutes or constitutional amendments that are placed directly on the ballot by ...

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