States, cities & tribes
ballot initiative
A law or constitutional amendment placed on the ballot by citizen petition, letting voters enact it directly. Available in about half the states.
In full
A direct initiative goes straight to voters after enough valid signatures; an indirect initiative goes first to the legislature, which may act before it reaches the ballot. Signature thresholds, geographic distribution rules, and single-subject requirements govern qualification. Some states let legislatures amend or repeal successful initiatives, and some do not.
Also written as: initiative
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.