US Chapter 6 - propositions, referendums, recall elections
- Created by: maddydavey
- Created on: 13-06-21 12:23
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- Propositions, referendums and recall elections
- Referendums
- an electoral device by which voters can effectively veto laws passed by their state legislature
- In 2012, state legislatures held 112 referendums
- different to propositions because instead of citizens taking the initiative, they are acting on something the state legislature has already done
- popular referendums: if the state legislature passes a law that voters don't like, if they gain enough signatures (varies from state to state) a referendum will be called, law pending until result of referendum announced
- used in 24 states
- in some states used for constitutional amendments, in others for changes to state tax
- Propositions
- an electoral device by which voters put forward proposals of laws - and in some states constitutional amendments - which are placed on a state ballot
- types
- indirect - proposals are submitted to the state legislature and next actions are decided there
- direct - proposals are placed directly on the state ballot
- examples from 2016
- marijuana legislation, approved in CA, ME, MA, defeated in AZ
- minimum wage increase, approved in AZ, CO, WA
- gun control - background checks for gun purchases, accepted: CA, NV, defeated: ME
- Recall elections
- electoral device by which voters can remove an elected official before their time in office has expired
- used in 19 states
- pros
- makes candidates more accountable - can be recalled at any point when they're in office
- cons
- some believe that it undermines the electoral process, gives voters opportunity to vote candidates out based on short-term dissatisfaction
- critics believe voters should have to live with the consequences of who they vote for, unless a candidate has committed an impeachable offence
- some believe that it undermines the electoral process, gives voters opportunity to vote candidates out based on short-term dissatisfaction
- example
- governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker, recalled in 2012 because voters were not happy with his changes to pensions and limiting of collective bargaining rights of trade unions (he was re-elected)
- Referendums
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