Initiative Reform

The citizens' initiative process should ensure that the residents of a state are able to put important issues directly in front of voters.  Unfortunately, in recent years some groups have attempted to put initiatives on the ballot by using fraud and forgery.  Most states are not well-prepared to combat fraud.  BISC has been a national leader in the effort to safeguard the citizens' initiative process from being hijacked by those subverting democracy through illegal activity.

BISC's Initiative Reform Principles:

•  Accountability
  • Create real penalties not only for individual circulators who violate state law, but also for the companies who employ and train them.
  • Designate a specific enforcer who is legally bound to investigate and prosecute violations of state law.
• Transparency
  • Require both circulators and signature gathering firms to register with the Secretary of State's office.
• Timeliness
  • Compel the Secretary of State to release copies of the signatures and registration sheets in a timely manner to allow citizen groups to monitor for fraud.
  • Require the court to act on allegations of fraud within a reasonable timeframe.

What should you do if you're worried that your state isn't adequately protected against potential abuses of the signature gathering process?   BISC can help.  We will work with you to complete a study of your state's current laws, pinpointing the weaknesses in the system.  Following the completion of that study, BISC will work with coalition partners on the ground to prioritize reforms to address the most glaring needs.  Finally, BISC will help your in-state coalition to move signature gathering reform through the state legislature.  For more information, email us at .