This post originally appeared at https://wifamilycouncil.org/radio/evers-proposes-residents-initiate-ballot-referenda/
The Title Town Times reports that Governor Tony Evers recently announced a proposal to grant Wisconsin residents the power to initiate ballot referenda, allowing citizens to bypass the state legislature and vote directly on critical issues, such as abortion and marijuana legalization. Critics argue this would undermine the principles of representative governance by shifting legislative power to the whims of public opinion, often driven by emotional or populist appeals.
This approach to lawmaking, either by statute or amending our state constitution is sold as a “direct democracy” option. We are not a democracy. We are a Republic—a representative form of government. Our state’s current process for creating a law or amending our constitution with a vote of the people after our elected officials have passed it, is appropriate for our Republic.
Julaine Appling