California’s Latest Ballot Initiatives Widely Criticized as Similar Problems Occur in Other States

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Election 2012: Ballot initiatives reflect nations mood

The Christian Science Monitor

Proponents call it “direct democracy,” opponents call it “vigilante democracy” – and political scientists call it a vibrant part of American democracy. On Nov. 6, voters in 37 states will decide 174 ballot propositions – the most since 2006, but well below the highs of the late 1990s and early.

Are ballot initiatives broken? California offers clues

The Christian Science Monitor

Is the initiative process an invaluable tool that holds legislators to account and allows voters to take on the monied interests that dominate politics? Or has it become a tool of those special interests themselves, confusing voters and making states an ungovernable mess? Opinions on the ballot initiative.