Changes

====Initiatives====

====Initiatives====

An "initiative" is when the people put a proposed law directly on the ballot themselves, by obtaining enough signatures beforehand on a petition to do this.  South Dakota was the first state to allow this, beginning in 1898 (more than 100 years ago).  Now 24 states (not New Jersey) allow the passage of new laws by the initiative process.<ref>http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/initiative-referendum-and-recall-overview.aspx</ref>  Sometimes people can even amend their state constitution this way.

An "initiative" is when the people put a proposed law directly on the ballot themselves, by obtaining enough signatures beforehand on a petition to do this.  South Dakota was the first state to allow this, beginning in 1898 (more than 100 years ago).  Now 24 states (not New Jersey) allow the passage of new laws by the initiative process.<ref>http://www.ncsl.org/legislatures-elections/elections/initiative-referendum-and-recall-overview.aspx</ref>  Sometimes people can even amend their state constitution this way. A map of which states allows initiatives is available on the internet.<ref>http://www.iandrinstitute.org/statewide_i&r.htm</ref>

The basic characteristic of an "initiative" is that it is initiated by the people, by obtaining thousands of signatures on a petition.  There are two types of initiatives:  direct and indirect.

The basic characteristic of an "initiative" is that it is initiated by the people, by obtaining thousands of signatures on a petition.  There are two types of initiatives:  direct and indirect.