Citizens can bring change without legislative help

When government officials fall short, citizens often must take the lead to pursue new or revised rules and statutes. Whether it be at the federal, state or local level of government, there are options to make sure your voice is heard.

At the federal level, citizens are able to contact congressional lawmakers about issues and to file comments on proposed regulations.

At the state and local levels, options include communicating with officials and providing testimony to groups that include panels and committees. Citizens at the state and local levels can pursue change through the initiative, referendum or recall processes.

A recent example of the initiative process at work took place in Washington state. In 2023, a citizens group there acted to secure needed signatures to get a question added to the 2024 statewide ballot about whether to repeal the cap-and-trade program approved by state lawmakers.

The following are the basics of the initiative, referendum and recall options available throughout the nation.

Citizen initiative

The initiative process permits citizens to go around state legislatures to get issues on ballots. There are two methods to get proposed changes in front of voters: direct process and indirect process.

The direct process enables a proposal to go straight to the ballot. The indirect process allows a proposal to be submitted to state lawmakers. If legislators fail to approve the measure, it can head to the ballot.

Both methods require the collection of a predetermined number of signatures to move forward. Each state has its own threshold. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the citizen initiative process is available in 24 states.

Popular referendum

Another option available for citizens is the popular referendum process. This option permits voters to approve or repeal action of state lawmakers.

Upon passage of a contested law, a period of time is granted for gathering signatures to demand a public vote. During the time between passage and the public vote, a law may not take effect.

If voters approve the law, it takes effect as planned. If voters reject the law, it is voided. The referendum process is available in 23 states. States that have the citizen initiative process also offer the referendum process.

Recall

One more option for citizens to act is through the recall process.

Also initiated by the public, this option is used to pursue the removal of an elected official from office before his or her term expires. Typically, a certain number of signatures over a period of time is required. If the threshold is met, voters will then decide at the ballot box whether to go through with the recall.

There are 19 states that permit recall elections.

The recall option differs from the impeachment option. Impeachment typically requires action by a state legislature. LL

When government officials fall short, citizens often must take the lead to pursue new or revised rules and statutes. Whether it be at the federal, state or local level of government, there are options to make sure your voice is heard.

At the federal level, citizens are able to contact congressional lawmakers about issues and to file comments on proposed regulations.

At the state and local levels, options include communicating with officials and providing testimony to groups that include panels and committees. Citizens at the state and local levels can pursue change through the initiative, referendum or recall processes.

A recent example of the initiative process at work took place in Washington state. In 2023, a citizens group there acted to secure needed signatures to get a question added to the 2024 statewide ballot about whether to repeal the cap-and-trade program approved by state lawmakers.

The following are the basics of the initiative, referendum and recall options available throughout the nation.

Citizen initiative

The initiative process permits citizens to go around state legislatures to get issues on ballots. There are two methods to get proposed changes in front of voters: direct process and indirect process.

The direct process enables a proposal to go straight to the ballot. The indirect process allows a proposal to be submitted to state lawmakers. If legislators fail to approve the measure, it can head to the ballot.

Both methods require the collection of a predetermined number of signatures to move forward. Each state has its own threshold. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the citizen initiative process is available in 24 states.

Popular referendum

Another option available for citizens is the popular referendum process. This option permits voters to approve or repeal action of state lawmakers.

Upon passage of a contested law, a period of time is granted for gathering signatures to demand a public vote. During the time between passage and the public vote, a law may not take effect.

If voters approve the law, it takes effect as planned. If voters reject the law, it is voided. The referendum process is available in 23 states. States that have the citizen initiative process also offer the referendum process.

Recall

One more option for citizens to act is through the recall process.

Also initiated by the public, this option is used to pursue the removal of an elected official from office before his or her term expires. Typically, a certain number of signatures over a period of time is required. If the threshold is met, voters will then decide at the ballot box whether to go through with the recall.

There are 19 states that permit recall elections.

The recall option differs from the impeachment option. Impeachment typically requires action by a state legislature. LL