Citizens in Charge

Here’s one for the Gipper! Today, the late former President Ronald Reagan would have been 100 years young.

To celebrate his birthday, we at Citizens in Charge highlight his support for initiative and referendum. In 1980, in a letter to New Jersey activist Sam Perelli, Reagan wrote, “George Bush and I congratulate you on your efforts to attain, for the people of New Jersey, the right to initiative and referendum. We urge you to keep up your fight and we endorse your efforts.”

Ed Meese, former U.S. Attorney General under Reagan and a very close California friend, has long been a supporter as well. “Having this
electoral ability [the initiative and referendum process],” said Meese, “is a critical ‘safety valve’ for effective citizenship.”

Happy 100th Birthday.