Category Archives: direct democracy

PPIC Polling Includes Questions on Initiative Process, Term Limits in CA

September 21, 2011, 9:14 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

Among the findings: Reforming the initiative process: Californians are generally satisfied (12% very satisfied, 50% somewhat satisfied) with the initiative process. But nearly 90 percent say special interests control it a lot (54%) or some (34%). Asked about possible… Continue reading

“Mend, If Not End; What’s the Single Best Thing We Can Do to Improve the Initiative Process?”

September 21, 2011, 11:52 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

Zocalo gets some interesting answers.

“DIRECT DEMOCRACY: THE CAUSE OF CALIFORNIA’S PROBLEMS —OR THE SOLUTION?”

September 20, 2011, 1:39 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

Interesting event in Los Angeles on October 5.

“Direct (Anti-)Democracy”

September 20, 2011, 8:49 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

Max Stearns has posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming, George Washington Law Review). Here is the abstract: Legal scholars, economists, and political scientists are divided on whether voter initiatives and legislative referendums tend to produce outcomes that are more (or… Continue reading

More on the Timing of Gay Marriage Vote in NC

September 14, 2011, 11:06 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

See this story: Bill supporters decided to put the question on the May primary ballot next year rather than the November 2012 general election ballot, ensuring the proposal would win support from enough Democrats to clear the 72 House-vote… Continue reading

Gay Marriage Initiative Timing

September 14, 2011, 7:22 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

I’m surprised this North Carolina measure was not pushed to be on the general election ballot, as a potential way of getting out the Republican vote. Could it be that public opinion has shifted enough so that this is not… Continue reading

Quote of the Day

September 8, 2011, 7:55 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

“I refuse to go down this slippery slope, where the state decides what citizens must wear when petitioning the government.” —CA Gov. Jerry Brown, vetoing a bill requiring paid petition circulators to wear “paid” badges

“Can Two Play the Voter-Turnout Game”

September 7, 2011, 10:40 amdirect democracy, political parties, voter idRick Hasen

Tim Herdt contrasts Republican-favored voter id laws with CA Democrats’ attempts to move ballot measure elections in the state to general elections only.

“Prop. 8 backers seem likely to win right to appeal its rejection”

September 6, 2011, 2:30 pmdirect democracyRick Hasen

No surprise here.

“Prop. 8 sponsors’ arguments go before California high court; The court’s ruling will determine whether initiative sponsors in California are entitled to defend their measures in state court if the governor and the attorney general refuse.”

September 5, 2011, 10:53 amdirect democracyRick Hasen

The LA Times reports. I’m with Emily Bazelon on this one.

My 2000 Columbia Law Review Article on Parties and the Initiative Process Now on SSRN

September 5, 2011, 10:44 amdirect democracy, political partiesRick Hasen

When I mentioned “Parties Take the Initiative (and Vice Versa)” recently in this post, I realized that the article itself was not on SSRN. I have now posted it.