2014 Ballot Measures

Do you know the difference between an initiative and a referendum? I didn't until I started researching this post. Some of the ballot measures have already been approved by the voters during their Primary Elections earlier this year. Some initiatives have filed signatures and are awaiting certification to be place on the ballot. And some have not been certified for various reasons. There are One Hundred and Eight questions with certified spots on the ballots in 38 states as of June 4, 2014:  http://ballotpedia.org/2014_ballot_measures

So, here is the definition of initiative: "The ballot initiative is a means by which a petition signed by a certain minimum number of registered voters can bring about a public vote on a proposed statute or constitutional amendment.  Ballot initiatives are also called, depending on the state, "popular initiative," "voter initiative," "citizen initiative" or just "initiative." Twenty-four states allow ballot initiatives, which are a form of direct democracy." http://ballotpedia.org/Initiative  But wait, there's more: "Ballot initiatives may take the form of either the direct or indirect initiative. Under the direct initiative, a measure is put directly to a vote after being submitted by a petition. Under the indirect initiative, a measure is first referred to the legislature, and then only put to a popular vote if not enacted by the legislature." Refer to the previous link for more details if you are interested in learning which states allow and a brief history of initiatives in US History.

"A referendum has two distinct kinds of direct democratic votes that often get the designation of referendum: veto referendum and legislative referendum. Increasingly, the latter is being called a legislative referral." http://ballotpedia.org/Referendum

 "Here are the definitions to the two:

• Veto referendum. When a state legislature passes a law, and citizens collect signatures to place that law on the general election ballot so that the voters of the state can decide whether to keep it or nullify it. In some states, this is known as a citizen referendum.

• Legislative referral. This is a ballot measure that is placed on the ballot because a state legislature votes to have it appear on the ballot. In other words, no citizen signatures are collected to place the measure on the ballot."

"In 2014, there are seven election dates during which statewide measures will appear on the ballot." You can check to see if your state is one of them by going here: http://ballotpedia.org/2014_ballot_measures#By_date

My state, Illinois, has three measures on the ballot for the November election. I think an informed citizen needs to know what measures are on the ballot well before election day so they can make informed decisions and realize the implications of their vote. The measure I am most interested in is the advisory question (AQ) to raise the minimum wage. Look at the information available here on the measure: http://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Minimum_Wage_Increase_Question_(2014) There are so many great websites providing voters with information that there really isn't a valid reason to be uninformed or to sit out an election because you aren't sure about the candidates or issues.