When and where was the Initiative and Referendum adopted?
The popular referendum was first introduced in the United States by South Dakota in 1898, and first used in 1906 in Oregon, two years after the first initiative was used in 1904, also in Oregon.
What is an initiative in history?
Initiative is a power reserved to the voters to propose legislation, by petition, that would enact, amend or repeal a City Charter or Code provision.
What did the initiative referendum and recall do?
Initiative, referendum, and recall are three powers reserved to enable the voters, by petition, to propose or repeal legislation or to remove an elected official from office.
When was initiative referendum and recall created?
In 1911, California voters approved the constitutional processes of initiative, referendum, and recall. Through these processes, voters can adopt a change in law (an initiative), disapprove a law passed by the Legislature (a referendum), or remove an elected official from office (a recall).
What was the purpose of the initiative?
The initiative enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first state to adopt the initiative was South Dakota in 1898.
What are the 5 initiatives?
5 Company Initiatives That Improve Office CultureEmployee health initiative. ... Kindness initiative. ... Volunteer initiative. ... Work-life balance initiative. ... Shadow initiative.
How many of the 50 states grant their citizens the power of initiative?
Twenty-six states have initiative and/or veto referendum processes at the statewide level. Washington, D.C., also has initiative and referendum processes. The availability of the powers at the local level varies by jurisdiction depending on state and local laws.
What is the difference between initiative and referendum?
Eligible initiative measures will become qualified for the ballot on the 131st day prior to the next Statewide General Election unless withdrawn by the proponents prior to its qualification by the Secretary of State. A referendum can qualify for the ballot up to 31 days before an election.
What is government initiative?
The ballot initiative process gives California citizens a way to propose laws and constitutional amendments without the support of the Governor or the Legislature. A simplified explanation of the initiative process follows.
Which was the first state to use the initiative process?
The modern system of initiatives and referendums in the United States originated in the state of South Dakota, which adopted initiatives and referendums in 1898 by a popular vote of 23,816 to 16,483.
What did the recall initiative do?
The recall has been part of California's political system since 1911. It provides a mechanism for the public to attempt to remove elected public officials from office before the end of their term of office.
What is initiative referendum recall quizlet?
Terms in this set (20) Initiative, referendum, recall. Initiative: people have the right to propose a new law. Referendum: a law passed by the legislature can be reference to the people for approval/veto. Recall: the people can petition and vote to have an elected official removed from office.
What is initiative and example?
initiative noun (NEW PLAN) a new plan or process to achieve something or solve a problem: The peace initiative was welcomed by both sides. More examples. The German leadership lauded the Russian initiative.
What is initiative in social studies?
In political terminology, the initiative is a process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first state to adopt the initiative was South Dakota in 1898.
Whats the definition initiative?
Definition of initiative noun. an introductory act or step; leading action: to take the initiative in making friends. readiness and ability in initiating action; enterprise: to lack initiative. one's personal, responsible decision: to act on one's own initiative.
What is initiative history quizlet?
Initiative: people have the right to propose a new law. Referendum: a law passed by the legislature can be reference to the people for approval/veto. Recall: the people can petition and vote to have an elected official removed from office.
What law gave the Attorney General the sole authority to prepare ballot titles and summaries for proposed initiatives?
1974: Proposition 9 was approved, which gave the Attorney General of California the sole authority to prepare ballot titles and summaries for proposed initiatives. The AG is required by this law to provide an "impartial statement of the purpose of the measure" in language unlikely "to create prejudice for or against" a proposal.
What was the most important campaign in 1956?
One of the highest stakes initiative campaigns in terms of campaign spending was in 1956, over a struggle over changes in the state regulation and taxation of oil and gas production. Proposition 4 that year was sponsored by a group of oil companies that sought to make their business more profitable, and opposed by another group of oil firms that preferred the existing system. Campaign funds spent by both sides totaled over $5 million. Proposition 4 lost: California voters, inundated with conflicting claims about a complex measure, took the cautious route and voted "no."
How many signatures did California have in 1911?
It was set at 8 percent of the number of votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election. In 1911 this was 30,481 signatures; in 1930, it was 91,529; in 1939, it was 212,117. The rapid change was due to California's explosive population growth and the increasing participation of women as voters. As petition requirements increased, the number of initiatives qualifying for the ballot decreased, particularly in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
What was the first measure passed by voters in California in 1964?
In the 1960s, California liberals soured on the initiative process as a result of two measures passed by voters in 1964. The first, Proposition 14 , repealed the Rumford Fair Housing Act, which the California State Legislature had passed, and Governor Brown had signed, in 1963.
Why did people lose their homes before Proposition 13?
Prior to Proposition 13 property taxes were out of control. People were losing their homes because they could not pay their property taxes. Yet, government did nothing to help them. In the finest tradition of the Boston Tea Party, California taxpayers stood up and said no more to excessive taxes.
What were the measures that were defeated in 1912?
Three initiatives were on the California ballot the next year, in 1912, when measures 6, 7 and 8 -- to consolidate local governments, prohibit bookmaking, and set procedures for local taxation -- were all defeated.
When was Proposition 7 enacted?
1911: On October 10, Proposition 7 (the "I&R Amendment"), is enacted. 1943: The cost of submitting proposed language to election officials for a ballot title and summary was set at $200. 1960: Ballot propositions, once confined to the November ballot, are now also placed on California's June primary ballot.
How many states have the initiative process?
Since then, 23 other states have included the initiative process in their constitutions, the most recent being Mississippi in 1992. That makes a total of 24 states with an initiative process. There are two types of initiatives: direct and indirect.
How does a popular vote work?
If the Legislature passes a law that voters do not approve of, they may gather signatures to demand a popular vote on the law. Generally, there is a 90-day period after the law is passed during which the petitioning must take place. Once enough signatures are gathered and verified, the new law appears on the ballot for a popular vote. During the time between passage and the popular vote, the law may not take effect. If voters approve of the law, it takes effect as scheduled. If voters reject the law, it is voided and does not take effect. 24 states have the popular referendum. Most of them are also initiative states.
What are the two types of initiatives?
There are two types of initiatives: direct and indirect. In the direct process, proposals that qualify go directly on the ballot. In the indirect process, the proposal is submitted to the legislature. The legislature can approve the proposed measure, or a substantially similar one, in which case it is unnecessary for the measure to go on the ballot for voters to consider. Procedures vary from state to state, but in general if the legislature has not adopted the proposal, the initiative question goes on the ballot. In some states with the indirect process, the legislature may submit a competing measure that appears on the ballot along with the original proposal. States with some form of the indirect process are Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada and Ohio. In Utah and Washington, proponents may select either the direct or indirect method.
What is the requirement for an initiative to pass?
Once an initiative is on the ballot, the general requirement for passage is a majority vote. Exceptions include Nebraska, Massachusetts and Mississippi. Those states require a majority, provided the votes cast on the initiative equal a percentage of the total votes cast in the election: 35 percent in Nebraska, 30 percent in Massachusetts and 40 percent in Mississippi. In Wyoming, an initiative must receive a majority of the total votes cast in a general election. For example, in Wyoming's 1996 general election the votes cast totaled 215,844, so an initiative would have had to receive at least l07,923 votes to be passed. In Nevada, initiatives amending the constitution must receive a majority vote in two consecutive general elections.
How is the popular referendum similar to the initiative?
The popular referendum is similar to the initiative in that both are triggered by petitions, but there are important differences. Legislatures are often required to refer certain measures to the ballot for voter approval.
What is a referendum?
Referendum. "Referendum" is a general term which refers to a measure that appears on the ballot. There are two primary types of referenda: the legislative referendum, whereby the Legislature refers a measure to the voters for their approval, and the popular referendum, a measure that appears on the ballot as a result of a voter petition drive. ...
What happens if you reject a law?
If voters reject the law, it is voided and does not take effect. 24 states have the popular referendum. Most of them are also initiative states. A third form of referendum, the advisory referendum, is rarely used. In this form of the process, the Legislature, and in some states the governor, may place a question on the ballot to gauge voter opinion.
What happens if you get enough signatures?
If enough valid signatures are obtained, the question goes on the ballot or, in states with the indirect process, is sent to the legislature.
What is the initiative right?
The initiative enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first state to adopt the initiative was South Dakota in 1898. Since then, 23 other states have included the initiative right in their constitutions, the most recent being Mississippi in ...
How are initiatives qualified for the ballot?
Generally, however, the process includes these steps: (5) submission of the petitions to the state elections official, who must verify the number of signatures.
How to contact Wendy Underhill?
Wendy Underhill tracks initiatives and referendums and may be reached at 303-364-7700 or [email protected].
What are the two types of initiatives?
There are two basic types of initiatives: direct and indirect. In the direct process, proposals that qualify go directly on the ballot. In the indirect process, they are submitted to the legislature, which has a specific length of time to act on the proposal.
Which states have the indirect process?
States with some form of the indirect process are Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada and Ohio.
Which states require a majority of the vote?
Exceptions include Nebraska, Massachusetts and Mississippi. Those states require a majority, provided the votes cast on the initiative equal a percentage of the total votes cast in the election: 35 percent in Nebraska, 30 percent in Massachusetts and 40 percent in Mississippi.
What percentage of voters believe it is a good thing that voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives?
In recent PPIC Statewide Surveys, a strong majority of likely voters (72%) said it is a good thing that voters can make laws and change public policies by passing initiatives.
What is the initiative process in California?
The Initiative Process in California. Californians are increasingly turning to the initiative process to make public policy. In 1911, California became the tenth state to enact the citizens’ initiative process. Today, 26 other states have an initiative or referendum process.
How much money has been spent on initiatives since 2000?
The initiative process is an expensive way to make public policy changes. Since 2000, about $2 billion has been spent on initiatives, more than half of it in just the last three election cycles.
Citizen Initiative Overview
- In political terminology, the initiative is a process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first state to adopt the initiative was South Dakota in 1898. Since then, 23 other states have included the initiative process in their constitut...
Popular Referendum Overview
- The popular referendum is a measure that appears on the ballot as a result of a voter petition drive and is similar to the initiative in that both are triggered by petitions, but there are important differences. The popular referendum allows voters to approve or repeal an act of the Legislature. If the Legislature passes a law that voters do not approve of, they may gather signatures to dem…
Legislative Referral (or Referendum) Overview
- Legislatures are often required to refer certain measures to the ballot for voter approval. For instance, changes to the state constitution must be approved by voters before they can take effect. Many state legislatures are also required by their state constitutions to refer bond measures and tax changes to the voters. Although this is not always the case, legislative referen…
Direct vs. Indirect Initiative
- There are two basic types of initiatives: direct and indirect. In the direct process, proposals that qualify go directly on the ballot. In the indirect process, they are submitted to the legislature, which has a specific length of time to act on the proposal. Depending on the state, the initiative question goes on the ballot if the legislature reje...
How An Initiative Is Qualified For The Ballot
- No two states have exactly the same requirements for qualifying initiatives to be placed on the ballot. Generally, however, the process includes these steps: (1) preliminary filing of a proposed petition with a designated state official; (2) review of the petition for conformance with statutory requirements and, in several states, a review of the language of the proposal; (3) preparation of …
Voting on Initiatives
- Once an initiative is on the ballot, the general requirement for passage is a majority vote. Exceptions include Nebraska, Massachusetts and Mississippi. Those states require a majority, provided the votes cast on the initiative equal a percentage of the total votes cast in the election: 35 percent in Nebraska, 30 percent in Massachusetts and 40 percent in Mississippi. In Wyoming…
For More Information
- For more detailed information about specific steps in the initiative process, visit NCSL's web page on How the Initiative Process Works. Wendy Underhill tracks initiatives and referendums and may be reached at 303-364-7700 or [email protected].