What does referendum process mean?

A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a particular proposal or issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. It can have nationwide or local forms. This may result in the adoption of a new policy or specific law.

What does a referendum do in Arizona?

Referendum is a power reserved to the voters that allows the voters, by petition, to demand the reconsideration and repeal of any legislative action of the City Council, except an emergency measure, before it becomes effective.

What did referendum and recall do?

In 1911, California voters approved the constitutional processes of initiative, referendum, and recall. Through these processes, voters can adopt a change in law (an initiative), disapprove a law passed by the Legislature (a referendum), or remove an elected official from office (a recall).

How does a referendum differ from an initiative?

The process is termed INITIATIVE because the electorate can initiate legislation. The referendum also permits the Legislature itself to refer proposed legislation to the electorate for approval or rejection. The initiative and referendum processes guarantee Washington’s electorate the right to legislate.

What do you mean by recall system?

A recall election (also called a recall referendum, recall petition or representative recall) is a procedure by which, in certain polities, voters can remove an elected official from office through a referendum before that official’s term of office has ended.

What’s the difference between a referendum and an initiative?

1 Initiative. In political terminology, the initiative is a process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot. 2 Referendum. “Referendum” is a general term which refers to a measure that appears on the ballot. 3 Recall.

What are the different types of referendum processes?

Initiative and Referendum Processes 1 Specific Types. States may have the direct initiative, the indirect initiative or the choice of either. 2 Subject Matter Restrictions and Repeating a Measure. States may limit the subject matter of ballot measures. 3 Petition Review, Creation and Public Notice.

What happens if you reject a referendum in a state?

If voters reject the law, it is voided and does not take effect. 24 states have the popular referendum. Most of them are also initiative states. A third form of referendum, the advisory referendum, is rarely used.

When did NCSL study initiative and referendum process?

In 2002, NCSL conducted an in-depth study of the citizen initiative process called Initiative and Referendum in the 21st Century. It includes recommendations. Select a topic from the column at left in the below graphic for more information. Select a state in the map above to see state-specific information.