Citizens in Charge Foundation

(LAKE RIDGE, VA) – Today, Citizens in Charge Foundation, a transpartisan national voter rights group focused on the ballot initiative and referendum process, released their 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights. The Report Card is a comprehensive review of initiative and referendum rights in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report details the policies and laws that restrict these rights, and suggests reforms for each state to improve its grade.

“Sadly, most states received failing grades of D or F,” said Citizens in Charge Foundation President Paul Jacob. “Many states do not provide any process for citizens to place issues on the ballot, and even in states where citizens do enjoy a statewide initiative and referendum process, restrictive regulations often undermine the ability of people to effectively pursue initiatives.”

The 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights analyzed numerous aspects of state and local initiative laws, both positive and negative, to determine each state’s final grade. A state was awarded points if citizens had the ability to propose statewide constitutional amendments, statutory initiatives, or to call a referendum on legislative acts through a citizen petition process. States were also given points for allowing local initiatives throughout the state. Points were deducted for high signature requirements, short periods in which citizens must gather petitions and other restrictive policies.

“The important thing about any report card is to know where you stand so that specific improvements can be made,” said Jacob. “There is much room for improvement. By laying out a clear road map for needed reforms in each state, we look to work with citizens and legislators to make this process more open and accessible to the people.”

The 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights allows citizens and legislators to compare their initiative and referendum rights with those of people in other states, and encourages embracing best practices from those other states.

The report is available in its entirety at: www.CitizensInCharge.org/StateGrades

ABOUT CITIZENS IN CHARGE FOUNDATION:
Citizens in Charge Foundation is the only national transpartisan voter rights group dedicated to protecting and expanding the ballot initiative and referendum process. We believe good government starts with the voter.

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