This initiated constitutional amendment in California would make several changes to the state's initiative process: allowing ballot initiatives to appear on odd-year and primary election ballots (not just November general elections), decreasing the number of required signatures to qualify measures, and levying a 5% tax on income above $10 million to fund the state cost of ballot initiative elections.
Conservative voters should be aware that lowering the signature threshold and expanding when initiatives can appear could make it easier for well-funded progressive groups to place measures on low-turnout elections.
While expanding direct democracy sounds appealing, lowering barriers for ballot measures in California -- where progressive groups have deep funding advantages -- could lead to more radical policy changes through low-turnout elections.
"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety."
— Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)