Researching Oregon Initiatives and Referendums

SUMMARY

Oregon voters are heavy users of the initiative and referendum, and they were pioneers of this form of democracy. This means that there is a good deal of information to be found about past initiatives and referendums, and the government of the State of Oregon and local civic groups have responded by making much of this information available online. This article outlines the sources for finding information on initiatives and referendums in Oregon.     

Researching Initiatives and Referendums in Arkansas

SUMMARY

This bibliographic essay and guide to researching Arkansas initiatives and referendums is intended to assist anyone interested in this vital subject.     

Researching Initiatives and Referenda: A Guide for Nevada

SUMMARY

The Nevada Constitution provides voters with the ability to propose new statutes, amendments to existing statutes, and amendments to the State constitution through the initiative petition process. Voters can also approve or disapprove of existing statutes through the referendum petition process. Both require the circulation of a petition to collect a minimum number of signatures before the Secretary of State will place the measures on the ballot for the general election. As with other topics of law, Nevada has a profound shortage of research resources on initiatives and referenda, but State law and government Web sites provide enough information to allow for significant research.     

Pathfinder on Indian Religious Freedom

No abstract available for this article.     

Arizona Initiatives and Referenda

SUMMARY

This article discusses research of initiatives and referendums in Arizona. A brief summary of the history of I&R in Arizona and an outline of the process is followed by an annotated list of some of the most relevant resources for those researching in the area.     

Initiative and Referendum Process in Idaho: A Research Guide

SUMMARY

This article is intended to be used as a starting point for those researching statutes either proposed or passed via the initiative or referendum process. A brief history of I&R in Idaho is followed by an annotated list of research resources to use when studying Idaho I&R.     

Utah Initiatives and Referenda: A Research Guide

SUMMARY

Utah's constitution guarantees its citizens the right to participate in the legislative process through direct and indirect initiatives and referenda. This article provides researchers with a history of Utah's initiatives and referenda, an overview of the process, and a list of secondary and primary sources that can be consulted when researching in this area.     

Initiatives and Referenda in Michigan: A Research Guide

SUMMARY

Initiatives and referenda are a key part of the democratic process in Michigan, but they are one of the most difficult types of legal materials to research. This guide provides an overview of the history of the I&R process in Michigan, a general outline of how the process works, and a selected list of resources, both primary and secondary, that provide valuable information for researchers seeking to explore this important part of Michigan's legislative system.     

Researching Initiatives and Referendums: A Guide for Florida

SUMMARY

In Florida, direct democracy at the state level consists entirely of the initiative method of amending the State constitution. This constitutional provision was partly a response to the State's history of obstacles to affording equitable legislative representation to all its citizens, a struggle with roots dating back to the Reconstruction era. The State constitution, governing statutes and regulations, and the Division of Elections Web site serve as the primary sources of information and guidance for those interested in the process of amending the State constitution by citizen-sponsored initiative.     

Initiatives and Referenda in Wyoming

SUMMARY

Researching initiatives and referenda in Wyoming is fascinating, partly because Wyoming was one of the first states to consider the option of initiatives for its citizens. This makes for an interesting history. Wyoming is also unique in that it has the most stringent initiative requirements in the country, which makes for an elaborate and rigid process. The result is a limited number of successful ballot measures and a collection of honest attempts. Fortunately, researching Wyoming initiatives and referenda is not as difficult as getting them passed. An annotated bibliography is included with helpful Wyoming-specific resources.     

Oceana Publications

No abstract available for this article.     

Researching Initiatives and Referenda: A Guide for Maine

SUMMARY

This article discusses the history of the initiative and referendum processes in Maine, including the steps needed to get an initiative or referendum on the State ballot. Part II of this paper discusses the early history of the initiative and referendum processes in Maine. Part III discusses recent use of initiatives in Maine. Part IV discusses the basics of the initiative and referendum processes in Maine, including a discussion of the differences between the People's Veto and a referendum, both used in Maine as mechanisms for the people to vote on whether a particular piece of legislation should take effect. Part V provides a detailed bibliography of research materials on the Maine initiative and referendum processes.     

Researching Initiatives and Referenda: A Guide for Missouri

SUMMARY

This research guide is intended for those wishing to explore the history and develop a basic understanding of the initiative and referenda petition process in Missouri. The I&R process attracted national attention when Missouri's controversial Constitutional Amendment 2 dealing with stem cell research appeared on the ballot in the 2006 general election. Recently, there have been efforts to overturn this petition which narrowly passed. Hopefully, this guide will provide background and suggest paper and electronic resources for those wishing to study the process and determine what “paper trail” is available for initiatives and referendum in Missouri.