Initiative and Referendum Almanac

Book excerpt: No other book has ever provided such a complete and comprehensive history of the initiative and referendum process in the U.S. Waters provides such information as the definitions of initiative and referendum; the roots of the initiative and referendum movement; the history of how the process has been utilized; regulations of the initiative process in each state; legislative attempts to regulate the process; and the role of the judiciary. The book also includes a series of essays by leading scholars and activists about the reforms brought about through the initiative process, and a brief discussion on the future of the initiative process through the eyes of activists and elected officials. A complete listing of all relevant laws associated with utilizing the initiative and referendum process in each state, as well as a checklist of the major steps of which initiative proponents should be aware, are also included in the almanac. The appendix contains a complete listing of every statewide initiative that has appeared on the ballot since 1904; a complete listing of all the popular and legislative referenda that have appeared on the ballot since 1998; as well as other charts and graphs tracking the usage of the process since its adoption in 1898. "This is what we have been waiting for. As penetrating and stimulating as it is thorough and even-handed, the Almanac will spark and inform debate about our most democratic process of lawmaking. It is a gift to activists and scholars alike." -- Richard Parker, Williams Professor of Law, Harvard Law School "This uniquely comprehensive volume provides a wealth of invaluable information about the initiative and referendum process in the United States. The volume combines detailed information about the constitutional and statutory bases of initiative and referendum usage in all fifty states; descriptions of the major court decisions and legislative attempts to regulate the process; comparisons of I&R provisions across the states; and scholarly analyses of some of the main theoretical debates concerning its use. This is certain to be a critical resource for academics, policy analysts, advocates, lawmakers, citizens, the media--indeed, anyone interested in this increasingly important method of citizen lawmaking." -- Elisabeth R. Gerber, Professor of Public Policy, University of Michigan "The initiative and referendum mechanisms are two of the jewels of American democracy. They have been the tools to usher in critically important reforms in society, and they serve to excite and engage the electorate. This almanac provides a detailed roadmap on the history and workings of this important process. I recommend it for any person interested in politics in America." -- Wayne Pacelle, Senior Vice President, The Humane Society of the United States "Water's volume provides a wealth of statistical and factual information on a neglected topic... Public and and academic libraries, as well as American politics and and public policy collections, will...find this a worthwhile purchase." -- CHOICE Magazine, January 2004 "Despite presenting a wealth of information, this book is well organized and very readable. Because the information it contains is of interest to scholars, students, and laypeople, this volume is highly recommended for all but the smallest public and academic libraries, and for high school libraries that support law and government courses." -- American Reference Books Annual