political reforms

Recall Elections: out with the old, in with the new

A ballot isn't just for electing people to office. Sometimes it's for booting someone out of office. Politicians don't always do things the way the public wants them to. Sometimes they even commit crimes or do other things that make them unfit for public office. In some states, if voters want someone out, they can try to recall that politician by voting to replace him or her. First, a certain number of voters must agree that the politician should be replaced. This usually involves gathering voters' signatures on a petition. After that, it's time for the big fight: one or more challengers run against the disfavored politician in a recall election. Voters decide where to keep the current politician or elect someone new.

introduction

Progressives believed that one way to end political corruption was to mak state government more democratic and more directly accountable to the people. The creation of the initiative, referendum, and recall gave voters more power to influence government policies and resulted in the expansion of citizens' direct participation in the direct democracy. The initiative allowed the citizens to propose a law by petition and ensure it's on the ballot for voting.The referendum gave voters the power to approve or reject new laws by a direct popular vote; this allows citizens to have more influence on the decision making process. The recall empowered voters to remove elected officials from office before the end of their terms, a way to hold their elected leaders accountable for their actions

Voting for laws: Referendums and initiatives

Your ballot won't just be a list of people running for office. Depending on your states rules, you may be asked to approve new laws for the state. Some laws get on the ballot through the initiative process that lets citizens propose laws directly. If citizens gather enough voter signatures, the law goes on the ballot for voters to approve or reject. You might also see a proposed law called a referendum. This law has been proposed by the states legislature but can't actually become a law until the voters have approved it. States have different rules about when lawmakers must seek voter approval for a new law. Often, amendments to a state's constitution require a referendum.

candidates, candidates and more candidates

you may already know that we elect the president every four years in November. Those are the elections that get the most attention. But elections happen every November- and at the local level, sometimes in other months. There are lots of government positions that require people to run for election. So even when you're not voting for president, you'll be choosing people to become members of congress, state representatives and senators, country and city leaders, and even school board members. In some states, such as Maryland, you'll also see judges on your ballot. So, what positions will be on the ballot in the next election? That depends on how long a person gets to stay in that position once they've been elected to office. Common terms of office are two, four, or six years