Direct Democracy

Question 1

What are referendums ?

Answer 1

A form of direct democracy giving the electorate a direct opportunity to participate in decision making
In all 50 states the electorate has the ability to veto legislation passed by its state legislature
Some states required by law to change state constitution
Electorate can gather signatures 90 day period after the law is passed
2012 - 115 referendums in states

Question 2

What are propositions and initiatives?

Answer 2

Never been a national referendum in US
Allow the citizenship or groups to place proposals on the ballot
Can involve a policy proposal a bond issue or an amendment to state constitution
Direct proposition or indirect proposition
Gain signatures
24 states currently use initiatives

Question 3

Recall elections

Answer 3

Removal of state officials as a form of impeachment
19 states facilitate the recall of an elected official but only 8 states have ever used it (Wisconsin 18 times)
California, 2003 Democrat governor gray ….
Only ever 3 recall elections of state legislators has increased since 1990’s
I’m 2012 15

Question 4

Implications of recall elections

Answer 4

Increase accountability and scrutiny as electorate can force politicians to justify their actions just before Election Day
Critics - instability to democratic process

Question 5

Examples of the use of initiatives and propositions - 2004

Answer 5

Increase in turnout for presidential election
Voting in 11 states on the issue of gay marriage
Oregon had the ‘death with dignity’ vote

Question 6

Examples of the use of initiatives and propositions - 2008

Answer 6

158 state ballot initiatives on the ballot slips at the same time as presidential and congressional elections ;

Limiting abortion
Gay marriage
Tax issues
Ban on stem cell research

Proposition 8
In Cali reversed state laws allowing same sense marriage
In the 5 months before prop 8 there were over 15,000 same sex marriages took place
Majority of white voters opposed the proposition
African Americans in favour by 2%

Question 7

Arguments against propositions/initiatives

Answer 7

• voters do not have the expertise to write laws - eg California tough sentencing but no tax rises to pay for it
• some measures have been struck down by the Supreme Court for being unconstitutional eg Colorado amendment prohibiting specific measures struck down that did not protect gay rights
• propositions can involve discrimination against minorities eg California state employees forced to report those they thought were illegal immigrants
• usually put forward by well funded groups eg Cali in 1988 $75m spent on 29 initiatives
• allow legislatures to escape blame - avoid consideration and action on controversial issues to escape blame for any ill effects of successful propositions meaning thrrr is a lack of accountability

Question 8

Propositions/initiatives can be defended

Answer 8

• they’re democratic
  They involve direct democracy through which voters can achieve change directly and practice the ability of elected official to ignore the people
• used sensibly
  They do not seek to make self interested decisions usually moderate eg 2002 most tax cut measures proposed in state initiatives were defeated despite the benefit to voters. In Florida voters wanted all amendments to have an economic impact statement of how much the measure would cost.
• tackling concerns about wealthy groups
  Voters are trying to tackle the concerns about the power of wealthy groups to finance campaigns in Oregon they banned payments for initiative petitions

-voters not poorly informed/narrow minded
Can support progressive and enlightened measures eg in 1990’s voters were supportive of proportions supporting legalising marijuana for medical purpose