Propositions – A Level Government and Politics AQA Revision

A proposition or ballot measure is a piece of proposed legislation that citizens can vote on directly in a referendum.
Propositions are usually placed on the ballot because of a petition signed by a certain number of voters or because the state legislature puts them forward.

There are two main types of propositions: initiative propositions and referendum propositions.
Initiative Propositions are proposed by citizens. If a certain number of voters sign a petition in support, the proposition is put on the ballot.
Referendum Propositions are proposed by the legislature and put on the ballot so voters can decide whether they become law.

Propositions are used widely in several US states, especially California, to bypass the legislature and directly implement policy changes.
Propositions can be controversial as they allow potentially complex issues to be decided by popular vote rather than by elected representatives.
Most well-known propositions originate in California, e.g., Proposition 13 which drastically cut property taxes and Proposition 8 which banned gay marriage until it was overturned by courts.

Direct impact: Propositions can result in legislative changes. If a proposition gets more yes votes than no votes, it typically becomes law.
Indirect impact: Propositions can also influence public discourse and policy, even if they’re not approved, by raising awareness about a certain issue.
Controversy: Due to the far-reaching effects of certain propositions, they are often the subject of heated debate and legal challenges.