Direct Democracy in the United States

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Direct Democracy in the United States

• TOPICS - What is direct democracy? a song
• Origins of the movement
• Initiative process in the U.S.
• states/qualifying/recent issues
• - Is the Initiative a good or bad idea?

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3 TYPES of Direct Democracy (1) Initiative
citizens directly vote on laws or amendments
proposed by the people (2) Referendum
legislature places laws or amendments on ballot
for up/down vote (3) Recall petition to vote
up or down (fire) an elected official before
end of the term

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Origins of the Initiative process
Direct Democracy throughout history - Greek
polis or city/state deliberation idea - New
England town hall meetings - Ross Perots
electronic town hall idea contrast these
ideas with Federalist 10! Recent roots
Populist/progressive movt. early 1900s (a)
protected workers/poor from big business (b)
focused on fighting political corruption (c)
sought to increase democratic participation!
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Adoption Use of the Initiative
the Top 12, out of 24 total

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Initiative States Where and why?
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Qualifying for the Ballot

• Petition filed with the Secretary of State
• must abide by single subject provision
• Signature requirements
• (1) deadlines vary 6 to 2 months before
  election
• (2) costly! paid signature gatherers are OK
• (3) need signatures equal to between 3 and
  15 of votes in last gubernatorial election
• Issues 30 political reform 25 taxes
• 15 business regs. 10 envir.

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Examples of recent Initiatives
See HANDOUTS
California Prop. 187 (1994) Prop. 209
(1996) California 2005 Special Election, Props.
74-77 Schwarzeneggers reform
agenda Michigan Proposal 1 voter approval
for any new casino gambling Michigan
Proposal 2 ban state recognition of any
same sex union
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Is Direct Democracy a good idea, bad idea, or
mixed bag?
PRO (1) (2) (3) (4) CON (1) (2) (3)
(4) . . .
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Is Direct Democracy a good idea, bad idea, or
mixed bag?
PRO (1) Increases voters democratic
influence (2) State legislatures block the
popular will? (3) To pass reforms against
incumbents interest (4) Public opinion polls
show most voters like it! CON (1) Too many
issues on ballot leads to confusion (2)
Uninformed voters (education) a problem (3)
2/3rd of time, the side with the most
wins! (4) Process easily hijacked by interest
groups (5) Minority rights often targeted by
majority... (6) Several laws -- later ruled
unconstitutional