|
TITLE: Assessing the Iron Law of Direct Democracy AUTHORS: Joshua J. Dyck and Mark Baldassare PAGES: 39 DATE: May 2007 ABSTRACT: Direct democracy is extraordinarily popular and has become a pervasive policymaking tool at the state and local level. Repeated surveys have demonstrated that Americans strongly approve of allowing people to vote on citizen-proposed laws, a method currently allowed in about half of all states and in many municipalities across the country. This paper examines the extent and implications of this support. We present evidence demonstrating that most voters approve of voting on ballot measures but express concern about initiative campaigns and would support constructive reforms. Using a battery of questions about this institution as an independent variable, we model the extent to which institutional evaluations of direct democracy influence voting behavior in ballot measure elections. Using data from California in 2005 and 2006 and from Washington in 2006, we find considerable support for the notion that process evaluations consistently influence choice in ballot initiative elections, regardless of policy content. Those who favor direct democracy are more likely to vote yes, while those who are apprehensive about voting on ballot measures are more likely to vote no. PPIC working papers present work in progress and may not be quoted or cited without permission of the author. Comments or suggestions, however, are welcome. |