Citizen Lawmakers: The Ballot Initiative Revolution

From Ballotpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Citizen Lawmakers.jpg

Citizen Lawmakers: The Ballot Initiative Revolution, by David Schmidt, is a history of initiative and referendum in the United States, published by Temple University Press in 1991.


Preface and Acknowledgments

1. History
2. Arguments For and Against
3. The Story of Ed Koupal and People's Lobby
4. Energy Crises
5. Two Case Studies
6. Tax Revolt: Conservatives Take the Initiative
7. Ballots Against Bombs
8. National Initiative
9. Campaign Manual

  • Appendix A: Initiative and Referendum Election Results, 1987-1988
  • Appendix B: Development of the Initiative
  • Appendix C: Statewide Initiatives Passed by Voters, 1970-1986
  • Appendix D: Petitioning: A State-by-State Guide to Rights and Requirements

Commentary on the book

"[B]oth an engrossing history and a guide showing how citizens can make their own laws directly, at the ballot box, when elected officials are unresponsive." —Ralph Nader

"The book may convince some readers that ordinary people make better policy than politicians do." —"California Lawyer"

"The definitive work on citizens and ballot initiatives.... This study offers citizen activists a manual on how to run a citizen campaign during the ballot initiative revolution and presents, in the appendixes, a comprehensive data on initiative voting in each of the states. The contribution to citizen activism and participatory democracy is the most significant characteristic of Schmidt's volume. The book is well written, well researched, and important. Strongly recommended for citizens interested in being counted once again in the American political system." —Choice

External links