1. How Voters Can Influence Government: Chap. 7 Examples of “Direct Democracy”:

2. I. The Initiative

3. Seven Step Initiative Process: 1) Write down your idea and give it to the State Legislative Council with 25 signatures of registered voters…if it’s recognized as constitutional, 2) Take it to the Attorney General and request a Title & Summary 3) Circulate the petition to get signatures:  Need 5% of registered voters who cast ballots in the election for CA governor (2010 – 10,094,839 votes)  Have 150 days to get all signatures

4. 5% of Registered Voters in 150 days?! That equals 504,760 signatures in California…logistically and financially, how is that possible? Pay professionals $2 per signature to gather all 504,760 signatures and more = $1 million plus, or Go “grass-roots” using volunteers to get all signatures (example: to reduce school class-sizes, organize teachers and parents as volunteers)

5. The Initiative (Process Con’t) 4) Submit petition to the local County and Election Official for Filing & Verification by the County & Secretary of State; Secretary of State hands the petition to the state legislature for public hearings on the subject of your new proposed law; 5) Educate voters prior to the election through media sources, radio/TV, Internet, newspapers, and organizations, such as the League of Women Voters. 6) Decision by the Voters…if it’s passed, 7) Promulgation of the new law (i.e. making the law known or wide- spread through force of law)

6. Debating the Initiative Process

7. Initiative Pros/Cons CONS: 1) Voters misled by special interests 2) Dishonest methods of getting signatures 3) Voter confusion over long and complicated ballots 4) Expensive initiative campaigns 5) Poorly drafted legislation leads to long, expensive court battles. PROS: 1) Strengthens popular sovereignty or rule by the people 2) Counteracts special-interest groups 3) Awakens public to important issues 4) Forces legislature to pass laws that would otherwise die

8. II. The Referendum Process of voter approval or rejection of legislation Three types: 1. Mandatory: required by law (e.g. amendments to the state constitution) 2. Optional: people may be asked to vote if the new law is important or controversial enough 3. Petition or protest: voters may approve or disapprove the law before it actually takes effect In California, the number of signatures required for initiatives are the same for referendums

9. Example of a Referendum: Fight to Get SD 48 on the Ballot

10. III. The Recall Public officials who are guilty of “high crimes and misdemeanors” or who have lost the confidence of the voters can be recalled or “fired” First used in 1903 Used by a third of the states and several hundred cities More signatures needed than initiative or referendum (25% of vote cast in previous election) A second election is usually held within 30 days of when signatures have been certified

11. Recall of California’s Governor Davis in 2003

12. The Governator

13. Chapter 7 Assessment With a partner, answer the Chapter 7 Review Questions on pages 168-169. Choose one of the following assignments (see hand- out): 1. With a partner, write an idea for an initiative and submit it to the state legislative council with 25 signatures from registered voters; Take it to the Attorney General and request a Title & Summary. 2. On your own, select an issue that currently concerns your community. Write a letter or send an e-mail to the local newspaper editor and your county and state representatives and ask for prompt and effective action regarding the issue.