initiative

politics

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July 23, 2026

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The initiative is an electoral tool that allows voters to directly influence government policy or proposed legislation. There are two main types: direct and indirect.1

A direct initiative allows a specified number of voters to submit a proposed law or constitutional amendment directly to a popular vote for decision.21

An indirect initiative first submits the proposal to the legislature. If the legislature rejects it, the proposition may then be put to a popular vote, sometimes with the legislature's alternative proposal on the ballot.1

These mechanisms, particularly influential from Swiss cantons, were adopted in U.S. states and municipalities to curb political machine power and allow citizens to overrule legislative actions or propose new laws.1

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referendum and initiative
initiative, electoral devices by which voters may express their wishes with regard to government policy or proposed legislation. They exist in a variety of forms.
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initiative, electoral devices by which voters may express their wishes with regard to government policy or proposed legislation. They exist in a variety of forms.
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election
Referendum and initiative
The referendum and initiative are elections in which the preferences of the community are assessed on a particular issue; whereas the former are instigated by those in government, the latter are initiated by groups of electors. As forms of direct democracy, such devices reflect…
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The referendum and initiative are elections in which the preferences of the community are assessed on a particular issue; whereas the former are instigated by those in government, the latter are initiated by groups of electors. As forms of direct democracy, such devices reflect…
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Switzerland
Constitutional framework
The first such initiative was undertaken in 1893, when voters decided against the wishes of the parliament and endorsed the prohibition of the killing of animals according to Jewish religious methods. More recently, voters have cast ballots on whether to join the European Economic Area (rejected), eliminate the…
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The first such initiative was undertaken in 1893, when voters decided against the wishes of the parliament and endorsed the prohibition of the killing of animals according to Jewish religious methods. More recently, voters have cast ballots on whether to join the European Economic Area (rejected), eliminate the…
Read More