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What are initiatives and referendums?

Like many states, Washington’s Constitution provides both an initiative and a referendum process.  Both processes are a form of direct democracy allowing citizens to participate in the legislative process.  Initiatives and referendums are powerful tools that allow voters more control over how they are governed.

An initiative is a means for the public to put an issue to the ballot for a general vote.  The issue could be a proposed law or a constitutional amendment.  Not every proposal makes it on the ballot however.  Initiative backers must show that there is enough public interest in the issue to justify a public vote.  To show that there is sufficient interest, a minimum number of signatures of registered voters must be collected.  In Washington, the number of signatures to put an initiative on the ballot is equal to 8% of the number of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election.

A referendum is a means for the public to evaluate a law that was passed by the legislature.  Almost any law passed in Washington State is subject to the referendum.  The referendum process allows voters to overturn an unpopular law or validate a controversial one.  Like an initiative, a number of signatures must be collected to put a referendum on the ballot.  In Washington, that number is equal to 4% of the number of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election.

By: nathan barnes
Last Updated: October 11, 2012 - 10:49pm

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