What is a ballot initiative?

The purpose of the ballot initiative is to give ordinary voters access to lawmaking. A ballot initiative consists of:

• A proposed statute (law) or constitutional amendment is drafted.
• The proposal is qualified to establish whether there is sufficient interest to place the proposal before the electorate.
• The proposed law is discussed. Some degree of deliberation takes place.
• Citizens vote on the proposed law (in an election).

Synonyms

Ballot initiatives are also called popular initiative, voter initiative, citizen initiative, or just initiative.

A ballot initiative standing for election is often called a ballot measure or proposition.