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Washington State is one of many states which allows its citizens the use of initiatives and referendums. Initiatives are proposed laws which registered voters may get placed on the general ballot after following proper procedure, which includes getting enough signatures (equal to eight percent of the voters in the previous gubernatorial election) supporting the initiative. There are two types of initiatives: indirect initiatives and direct initiatives. Indirect initiatives are sent to the legislator, where it is either adopted and made law, refused and sent to the general ballot, or amended in which case both the original and amended versions appear on the ballot (Nice, Pierce, & Sheldon, 1992). Initiatives keep government officials in check, cut down on political corruption, and provide a way for the average citizen to take an active role in their state’s government. However, this form of direct democracy has taken on a new role in state politics, other than what was originally intended by early supporters of the initiative. In many cases, initiatives have been abused and have been misleading or detrimental to the economy. Citizens’ lack of understanding, misleading corporate campaigns, and the frivolous use of initiatives have led to initiatives taking on a negative image in the eyes of many politicians and informed citizens. Initiatives have already caused several problems in Washington State, and state legislatures need to consider putting more restrictions on the initiative process. Also, by examining problems regarding the use of initiatives in other states, it can be seen that Washington needs to place more regulations on their initiative process before these problems repeat themselves in Washington. Thomas Jefferson once said, "I know of no safer depository of the ultimate power of society but the people themselves” (Kenin & Wintle, 1978). Realistically though, to what degree can the average citizen participate in an efficient, smooth running government without messing things up? One of the major problems with the use of initiatives is that often times the citizens making and voting on the measures are not politically and economically informed enough to make beneficial decisions regarding policies in their state.
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