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Though Republicans control a majority of state governments, one area of governmental power they, nor Democrats for that matter, can control is in the area of ballot initiatives. Ballot initiatives or referendums are those issues that are placed on the ballot for an up or down vote by the people. It is the greatest example of direct democracy that this nation has.
As the NYTs points out , “these referendums are a century-old fixture of American democracy that allows voters to bypass their legislatures to enact new laws, often with results that defy the desires of the state’s elected representatives.“ Republicans in particular are stymied by these initiatIves as the people vote for laws that Republicans in Red States disapprove. Among those initiatives that have passed in Red states that were opposed by Republicans were laws ”that raised the minimum wage, legalized marijuana, expanded Medicaid, introduced nonpartisan redistricting and no-excuse absentee voting, and restored voting rights to people with felony convictions.”
This year Republican-led legislatures in Florida, Idaho, South Dakota and other states have passed laws limiting the use of referendums. “So far in 2021, Republicans have introduced 144 bills to restrict the ballot initiative processes in 32 states, according to the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center...”
The question is why do Republicans fear the people. Why should we not let the people speak? It is a two way street after all. Republicans can use and have used the same ballot referendums in the past. I say let the people speak!
Do you agree with Republicans that these ballot referendums should be restricted.
www.nytimes.com
As the NYTs points out , “these referendums are a century-old fixture of American democracy that allows voters to bypass their legislatures to enact new laws, often with results that defy the desires of the state’s elected representatives.“ Republicans in particular are stymied by these initiatIves as the people vote for laws that Republicans in Red States disapprove. Among those initiatives that have passed in Red states that were opposed by Republicans were laws ”that raised the minimum wage, legalized marijuana, expanded Medicaid, introduced nonpartisan redistricting and no-excuse absentee voting, and restored voting rights to people with felony convictions.”
This year Republican-led legislatures in Florida, Idaho, South Dakota and other states have passed laws limiting the use of referendums. “So far in 2021, Republicans have introduced 144 bills to restrict the ballot initiative processes in 32 states, according to the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center...”
The question is why do Republicans fear the people. Why should we not let the people speak? It is a two way street after all. Republicans can use and have used the same ballot referendums in the past. I say let the people speak!
Do you agree with Republicans that these ballot referendums should be restricted.
Republicans Move to Limit a Grass-Roots Tradition of Direct Democracy (Published 2021)
Through ballot initiatives, voters in red states have defied legislators’ wishes and produced liberal outcomes in recent years. Republicans want to make the practice harder, or even eliminate it.
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