What Is The Process Of Initiative? [3 REPLIES FOUND]

Indirect and direct initiatives are available. Direct process: Proposals that are qualified go straight to the ballot. In the indirect procedure, the proposal goes to the legislature. It is possible for the legislature to approve or reject the proposed measure. If the latter, it will not be on the ballot. Although the process is different from one state to the next, the general rule of thumb is that if no legislation has been adopted, then the initiative question will be put on the ballot. Some states use the indirect process. In these cases, the legislature can submit another measure to the ballot that is identical to the original proposal. [2]

It is more challenging to place initiatives on the ballot and to ensure initiatives do not represent just the interests of heavily populated areasSome states have made it a condition that signatures must be collected in the entire state. There are many different criteria. Some have been found to be unconstitutional, largely on “one person, one vote” grounds. Geographic requirements that use entities with unequal population (e.g. counties and state legislative districts) are more likely to be challenged by courts. Based on U.S. geography entities House districtsThese states, which must be very equal in population, were ruled constitutional. (See Nevada, for example). Ten states don’t have to meet a geographical requirement, while 14 do. TaryneCorley updated this information on May 8, 2021 [3]

Analysts at participedia.net Provide additional information. Direct democracy through the vote of the people is a tradition that dates back to premodern times. However, it was in Switzerland that the idea of an initiative process for democratic governance emerged. Kris William Kobach tracing its development back to the 1798 constitutional system which “laid the foundation for direct democracy at the national level,” containing, as it had done, provisions for constitutional referendums and the ability for “assemblies primaires” to submit amendments or revisions. In 1802, the new constitution was presented to the public for their approval by referendum. Beginning in 1830, ‘cantons’ (regions) introduced the ‘optional legislative referendum’ “which allowed citizens to challenge routine laws by petition, thereby bringing the questions before the electorate.” By 1891, the initiative process was institutionalized at both the canton and federal (national) level. Carter Schrader (India, Guntur) is the credit for providing this information. [4]

The industry experts reported the following: ballotpedia.orgThe initiative was recognized by the U.S. The first Georgia constitution made provision for this right in 1777. According to the constitution, no amendment shall be made to this constitution without petitions coming from the majority of counties. These petitions should be signed in advance by the Assembly. We are grateful that Marquerite Pettit brought this up. [5]