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Idaho Voters Speak Up As Lawmakers Work To Make Ballot Initiative Process Harder

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Idaho Voters Speak Up As Lawmakers Work To Make Ballot Initiative Process Harder

C_Scott_Grow.jpg

Republican Sen. Scott Grow.

3/15/19
This week in Idaho, some voters are speaking out against a bill that would make it harder for citizens to get issues they care about on the ballot – anything from Medicaid expansion to marijuana. If passed, the bill would make it more difficult for citizen-driven initiatives to be put to voters in the state by requiring nearly twice as many people to sign petitions in one-third of the time. Additionally, signatures would need to come from nearly every legislative district in a state which is more than 40 times the physical size of Delaware. Medicaid expansion wouldn't have been possible under the proposed law, sponsored by Republican Sen. Scott Grow. But the hundreds of people who showed up for a public hearing earlier this week have said the bill is an attack on their Constitutional rights. Six members of the public were able to speak before Republican Sen. Patti Anne Lodge, the committee's chairwoman, tried to cut off a packed room from testifying. They eventually scheduled another hearing for Friday.

I didn't even have to look, but for posterity .... a bill to restrict the people's voice, written/sponsored by a Republican politician in a red state.
 
Daily complaints about Republicans wherever they are aside for just a moment, perhaps we should consider the pros and cons of public driven ballot initiatives. There may be a worthwhile discussion on why we tend to lean representative and republic over direct democracy.
 
Idaho Voters Speak Up As Lawmakers Work To Make Ballot Initiative Process Harder

https://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/images/f/fd/C_Scott_Grow.jpg[img]
[SIZE=1]Republican Sen. Scott Grow.[/SIZE]



I didn't even have to look, but for posterity .... a bill to restrict the people's voice, written/sponsored by a Republican politician in a red state.[/QUOTE]

There is absolutely nothing wrong in requiring more signatures and with ensuring the initiative has support from all districts.
 
Daily complaints about Republicans wherever they are aside for just a moment, perhaps we should consider the pros and cons of public driven ballot initiatives. There may be a worthwhile discussion on why we tend to lean representative and republic over direct democracy.

It looks like Idaho has had ballot initiatives since 1998. Why is it a problem now?

In the 2018 election, a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid passed.

"..........................", a ballot initiative to ban abortion did not receive enough signatures to be on the general ballot.

The situation is bit clearer now [to me].
 
It looks like Idaho has had ballot initiatives since 1998. Why is it a problem now?

In the 2018 election, a ballot initiative to expand Medicaid passed.

"..........................", a ballot initiative to ban abortion did not receive enough signatures to be on the general ballot.

The situation is bit clearer now [to me].

You are missing the point.

I get the need to be critical of Republicans for all of a sudden deciding there is a problem with general ballots, the point of my post was to in hope generate a real discussion on the pros and cons of general ballots instead of having the umpteenth hate on <insert you do dislike politically here> thread.

I am asking you to discuss a different issue than just complain.
 
Except for what the legislature supports, I generally oppose ballot initiatives as they tend to be knee-jerk voting on slogans and platitudes of the moment. Then again, I fully oppose a pure democracy because I oppose mob rule and instead want a representative form of government.
 
You are missing the point.

I get the need to be critical of Republicans for all of a sudden deciding there is a problem with general ballots, the point of my post was to in hope generate a real discussion on the pros and cons of general ballots instead of having the umpteenth hate on <insert you do dislike politically here> thread.

I am asking you to discuss a different issue than just complain.

No one's stopping you. Give us your thoughts.
 
Except for what the legislature supports, I generally oppose ballot initiatives as they tend to be knee-jerk voting on slogans and platitudes of the moment. Then again, I fully oppose a pure democracy because I oppose mob rule and instead want a representative form of government.
So you have personal insight into all of the ballot initiatives that have occurred historically in the US, and the thought process behind every one?
I don't think so.
This reeks of weak opinion unsupported by any facts.
 
There is absolutely nothing wrong in requiring more signatures and with ensuring the initiative has support from all districts.

When its done to thwart the will of the people.. yes it is.
 
You are missing the point.

I get the need to be critical of Republicans for all of a sudden deciding there is a problem with general ballots, the point of my post was to in hope generate a real discussion on the pros and cons of general ballots instead of having the umpteenth hate on <insert you do dislike politically here> thread.

I am asking you to discuss a different issue than just complain.

Just to point out here.. the people fighting against a curtailment of ballot initiatives are republicans. Republicans voted in the ballot initiative when it comes to Medicaid expansion.

When the state government tried to push unfunded ridiculous mandates onto local school districts.. (in order to please their lobbyists)...it was republicans that created and supported the initiatives to block those mandates.
 
When its done to thwart the will of the people.. yes it is.

iLOL
More signatures asserts the will of the people more so.
Requiring those signatures be from all the districts shows that will is more germane than just some localized group.
 
When its done to thwart the will of the people.. yes it is.

Attributing motive to something that you couldn't possibly know, aside. Fear mongering really isn't going to help you here.
 
Idaho Voters Speak Up As Lawmakers Work To Make Ballot Initiative Process Harder

C_Scott_Grow.jpg

Republican Sen. Scott Grow.



I didn't even have to look, but for posterity .... a bill to restrict the people's voice, written/sponsored by a Republican politician in a red state.

The article is lite on specifics. Not sure if the changes are meaningful as we do not know the start point. There is a cost to adding these initiatives on ballots. Many people may not be well versed on them.

Personally do not have a strong opinion on this. Would like to know the specifics so we could have a debate as to whether the changes make sense or not.
 
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