About this Blog
Direct democracy -- the Switzerland-inspired system of initiatives, referenda and recalls that allows voters to make and repeal laws in 24 states -- is poorly understood. It isn’t even very direct. Direct democracy has become blockbuster democracy: a half-billion-dollar international industry of signature gatherers, consultants, and election lawyers who use ballot measures less as a method of making law and more as a tool of mega-communications to boost some politicians, hurt others, and supplement lobbying campaigns.
Blockbuster democracy is a decentralized business that practices wide-open politics. This blog aims to provide a center of news, analysis and conversation for and about the industry. We will report from blockbuster democracy’s capital -- California -- but we’ll monitor ballot measures from across the country and around the globe.
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Opponents of Assisted Suicide Try to Hide the Ball
Here's a lawsuit that should be struck down as quickly as possible. Foes of a Washington state ballot initiative that would permit assisted suicide have filed suit claiming they should be exempt from laws requiring that donations to ballot measure campaigns be reported. In essence, the opponents say they shouldn't have to register as a political action committee because they only want to run ads against assisted suicide, and not against Initiative 1000, the assisted suicide measure.
This doesn't pass the smell test. I'm a skeptic of many campaign finance laws, including ones that limit donations, but disclosure is absolutely essential to prevent corruption in the process. And there's no more telling piece of information about a measure than the identity of those funding it. If anything, ballot initiative campaigns need more -- and more timely -- financial reporting. In many states, there is no disclosure of donors until after the signature gathering process--voters should be able to find out who is funding a petition before they sign it.
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