Category Archives: direct democracy

“Lawmakers want to repeal, then reenact, recent voting law changes”

January 17, 2014, 10:21 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

News from Arizona: “State lawmakers are moving to repeal major changes in voting laws made last year — and then reenacting at least some of them in a way to thwart a referendum drive.” I don’t know anything about Arizona… Continue reading

Ballot Measure to Make California Into Six States? Not Gonna Happen

December 20, 2013, 7:36 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

Tech Crunch reports on the plan, but leaves out the most important detail: The California Supreme Court would almost certainly rule that such a measure cannot go on the ballot as an initiative because one can only amend, but not… Continue reading

U.S. Senate Candidate Spearheading Initiative Campaign in Montana

December 10, 2013, 7:44 pmcampaigns, direct democracyRick Hasen

Interesting hybrid democracy.

“Healthcare union abusing initiative process, critics say’

December 7, 2013, 3:45 pmcampaign finance, campaigns, direct democracyRick Hasen

LA Times reports.

“SCOTUS Denies Cert in Virginia Ballot Signature Case”

December 2, 2013, 7:17 amdirect democracy, petition signature gathering, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Josh Blackman blogs.

“Arizona election referendum qualifies for 2014 ballot”

October 29, 2013, 7:34 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

The Arizona Republic report.

“L.A. leaders fight ballot measure to create city health agency”

October 23, 2013, 7:51 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

Pre-election challenge, reports the LA Times.

“Brown nixes Democrats-friendly initiative reform measure”

October 12, 2013, 4:13 pmdirect democracy, petition signature gatheringRick Hasen

WaPo: “California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) has vetoed a measure that would have severely limited the ability of wealthy activists and corporations to use paid signature gatherers to get initiatives on the ballot.” Here is Brown’s veto statement. … Continue reading

“Initiative Reforms Likely to Build Citizen Engagement, Trust in Government”

October 8, 2013, 9:00 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

PPIC Press Release: A report released today by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) recommends three steps to improve the initiative process—steps that reflect both Californians’ desire to continue making laws at the ballot box and their criticisms… Continue reading

“Ballot initiatives bill could spur litigation against backers”

October 2, 2013, 8:07 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

LA Daily Journal: A bill before Gov. Jerry Brown requiring ballot measure backers to use volunteers to gather signatures would also create a right for anyone to sue by alleging fraud was used to get the signatures, potentially allowing… Continue reading

“California considers initiative tweaks that would favor Dems”

October 2, 2013, 11:18 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

WaPo reports. I told the Los Angeles Daily Journal that I think aspects of this law are very likely to be struck down as unconstitutional. (No link,)

“Reforming California’s Initiative Process”

September 23, 2013, 11:52 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

Looks like an interesting PPIC event on October 24 in Sacramento.

“Legal Center Moves to Protect Ohioans’ Initiative and Referendum Rights from Legislative Suppression”

September 20, 2013, 8:27 amballot access, direct democracy, petition signature gatheringRick Hasen

Press release: “The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law today moved in federal court to immediately enjoin the state from enforcing Senate Bill 47′s new limits on Ohioans’ initiative and referendum rights. The legislation, which became effective in June, restricts… Continue reading

“Fourth DCA Reverses Earlier Opinion, Holds Pre-Election Challenges Are Subject to Anti-SLAPP Statute”

September 17, 2013, 3:21 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

Nielsen Merksamer: “Ballot measure opponents have new reason to be cautious about filing pre-election litigation challenging a proposed measure, because the Court of Appeal for the Fourth District recently reversed its own 2007 decision in City of Riverside v.… Continue reading