Changes to Ballot Initiatives: Ballot initiatives are unique form of direct democracy that spread recently

From Ballot Access News written by election expert Richard Winger:
Michigan Elected Officials Offer Competing Ideas on Changing Process by which Initiatives Get on Ballot: Changes to Ballot Initiatives

November 13th, 2012
This story collects many ideas proposed recently by various Michigan elected officials, on whether and how to change the procedure by which statewide initiatives get on the ballot. The story says that former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has suggested making it possible for voters to sign initiative petitions on-line.

The story also says a bill has just been introduced in the Michigan legislature by Representative Ken Horn, to outlaw paying petition circulators on a per-signature basis. However, the 6th circuit has already invalidated a similar Ohio law, and Michigan is also in the 6th circuit. The Michigan legislature (the one elected in 2010) is still in session, and Michigan lets legislators introduce new bills as late in the session as they wish. However, a bill introduced this late is very unlikely to pass. Thanks to Thomas Jones for the link. Changes to Ballot Initiatives Michigan

Terri Lynn Land (born June 30, 1958 in Grand Rapids, Michigan) was Michigan’s 41st Secretary of State. Land has been a member of the Republican National Committee since the 2012 Republican National Convention. She is running for the U.S. Senate election in 2014.

Terri Lynn Land served two terms as Michigan’s 41st Secretary of State (2003-2010). With a message of improving customer service and reducing costs to the taxpayers, Land was elected in 2002 by the largest margin in an open seat race in a generation. After delivering on her campaign promises, Terri was re-elected in 2006 by historic margins.

Terri announced her campaign for United States Senate in the summer of 2013 after receiving encouragement from grassroots activists across Michigan.

“Growing up in Michigan, I watched my father, grandmother and grandfathers work tirelessly to grow their small business, learning the value of hard work at an early age. After I graduated form Hope College in Holland, MI, I continued to work for our family business and then began my tenure in public service. I took the lessons learned at the family business—the importance of hard work, balanced budgets, and customer service—and set my focus on improving government services to make government work for the people.

“Now, I am ready to take my work ethic and experience as a mother, small businesswoman and public official to Washington to show them how government should work for the hardworking taxpayers.”