Initiatives and Referendumes

Washington State is one of many states which allows its citizens the use of initiatives and referendums. Initiatives are proposed laws which registered voters may get placed on the general ballot after following proper procedure, which includes getting enough signatures (equal to eight percent of the voters in the previous gubernatorial election) supporting the initiative. There are two types of initiatives: indirect initiatives and direct initiatives. Indirect initiatives are sent to the legislator, where it is either adopted and made law, refused and sent to the general ballot, or amended in which case both the original and amended versions appear on the ballot (Nice, Pierce, & Sheldon, 1992).
Initiatives keep government officials in check, cut down on political corruption, and provide a way for the average citizen to take an active role in their state’s government. However, this form of direct democracy has taken on a new role in state politics, other than what was origina...