Modification of Initiative Process from Lobbying
Washington State was one of the first states to offer the citizens the opportunity to make law through the initiative process The initiative process has become a instrument of influence through contributions and lobby efforts rather than direct democracy.. Prior to a view years ago I would sign any initiative petition since citizens wanted the issued discussed and decided, but lobbyist have begun to use the process to accomplish what they can not manipulate the legislature to accomplish. The process requires a lot of money to get the issue on the ballot and campaign for passage.
Petition Players
Many interested parties and associates write petitions for laws that serve their own purposes. A singe man, caused accusations a few years ago for petition filing for personal gain operates one organization in Washington State. Ever year he has at least one petition on the ballot. It is obvious that he has a certain point of view that he promotes through the process. Many wonder why he does not choose to run for office since he wants to write laws, but than he might have to examine the effect of his laws on the state in general. He makes a living just as legislators without a way for the citizens to keep him accountable. In the courts most of his initiatives failed review. This process damaged the initiative process. Others with similar agenda have used the same process to get the petition approved and funded campaigns to promote them. The signatures question whether it actually is a citizen process.
Petitions validation requires a percentage of the signatures are determined valid. State workers compare signatures against the voter registration book, but how the signatures get to the book compromises the process. Petition gatherers frequently receive payment to collect the signatures or employers solicit employees for issues for their benefit. This may not be traditional lobbying, but it is influences the law with the use of money or personal gain.
Effect of Players
The initiative process no longer is the people stepping in where the legislator has not been able to get the work done. It now is a way for groups to write laws, develop the marketing strategy, and collect the signature through paid collectors or influence. Defenders could construe it as true democracy but it still takes a great deal of money, time and expertise to get the petition to the ballot, positively decided and through the courts. The citizens having a true avenue for grassroots action has been lost through the efforts of many to cement their own purpose and benefits with the process.
The initiative process needs return to the citizens and removal of outside influences just as the legislature needs to be alert to the manipulation in house. Money's affects on government minimizes the value of one person one vote on democracy