Initiative

An initiative is an issue placed on the ballot to become law if a majority of the voters approve it.

It is similar to a referendum, except that a referendum often involves the legislature while an initiative can completely bypass, and override, the legislature.

27 states, mostly in the South and West, allow initiatives or referenda, and most of those states allow both.[1] All states allow some form of the legislative referendum process, whereby the legislature can place an issue on the ballot.

State  |  Signatures required  |  Filing deadline  |  Signature deadline

|
|
|

Arizona |  230,047[2] |  |  July 3
Washington |  |  |
Florida |  611,009[3] |  |

## References[edit]

1. ↑ http://www.iandrinstitute.org/statewide_i&r.htm
2. ↑ That is the number required in 2008 to amend the constitution. Fewer signatures are required merely to enact a law.[1]
3. ↑ http://www.flfamily.org/uploadfile/Marriage Amendment/Petition Total0054.pdf

## See also[edit]

Washington State initiatives and referenda
A Wiki devoted to ballot issues: Ballotpedia