Fall 2002

Name of Submitting League
LWV of Washington

Title of Study (limit 80 characters)
Direct Democracy: The Initiative & Referendum Process in Washington State

Summary of Study (limit 500 characters)
Although a clear majority of Washington citizens support keeping the initiative process, there is growing frustration over several aspects: the increasing use of the process, its encroachment into areas previously thought by some to be the prerogative of the legislature, the use of paid signature gatherers, and the growing number of voter-passed initiatives that the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional. Many who have always supported the people’s right to initiate legislation have begun to wonder if it isn’t time to make changes in the process. This study evaluates proposals to change the process in Washington state.

League or Contact Email Address
lwvwa@lwvwa.org

League or Contact Phone Number
206-622-8961

Linked documents: URL(s) of study
http://www.lwvwa.org/pdfs/studies/init-ref-study.pdf