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League of Women Voters of California Education Fund Evaluating Ballot Measures

The League of Women Voters of California is a nonpartisan organization committed to informed and active citizen participation in government. Our election services are carried out by the League of Women Voters California Education Fund (LWVCEF) and exclude all advocacy.

Criteria for Evaluation -- The Initiative Process

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Criteria for Evaluating Ballot Propositions

• Who are the real sponsors and opponents of the measure? Investigate the names of groups with which you are not familiar.

• Does the measure deal with one issue which can easily be decided by a "yes" or "no"? Or is it a complex issue which should be thoroughly examined in the legislative arena?

• Is it written well? Are there conflicts in the measure that may require court resolution or interpretation? Is it "good government" or will it cause more problems than it will resolve?

• If the measure amends the Constitution, consider whether it really belongs in the Constitution. Amending the Constitution is cumbersome and costly and requires a vote of the people. Would a statute accomplish the same purpose?

• Does the measure create its own revenue source? Does it earmark, restrict, or obligate a specific percentage of General Fund revenues? Consider the effect on the overall flexibility of the budget.

• Examine the measure by its merits. During the campaign, be wary of distortion tactics and commercials that rely on image, but tell nothing of substance about the measure.

Courtesy of Margaret Craig, League of Women Voters Orange Coast

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The Initiative Process

The initiative process allows voters to bypass the legislature and propose ballot measures. The two types of initiatives are constitutional amendments and statutes; and like other ballot measures, they require a majority vote to pass.

Proponents circulate petitions to collect the required number of voters' signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. An initiative constitutional amendment requires more signatures than a statute, but if it is approved by a majority of the voters, this measure becomes part of the state's constitution and is difficult to change: an amendment may be proposed for voter approval by qualifying another initiative or by a two-thirds vote of the members of each house of the Legislature and the Governor's signature.

An initiative statute is easier to qualify because it requires fewer signatures but the Legislature can amend it with a majority vote (unless the statute specifies a two-thirds vote) and submission to the electorate, unless the initiative specifically permits amendment without voter approval.

Proposition 224 is an initiative constitutional amendment.

Propositions 223 and 225 through 227 are initiative statutes.

On Propositions: Evaluation Criteria - About Initiatives - Smart Voter
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Last updated: April 22, 1998
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