Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

How Citizens Can Use The Initiative Power, Robert L. Scott

IUSTITIA

The purpose of this discussion is to demonstrate how the initiative power may be employed by citizens wishing to pass a law independent of the state legislature. Although the initiative power is granted in many state constitutions, in the past it has been used sparingly. However during these days of political activism the initiative power has been given new vitality. For example, in the area of environmental law it has been employed by citizens groups in such states as California, Illinois, and Wisconsin to reserve greater individual rights against environmental polluters.