Rhode Island Needs Voter Initiative NOW
In 1996, voters approved an advisory ballot question for Initiative and Referendum. But for eleven years, the General Assembly has ignored the will of the people.
Every year since 1994, Senator Marc Cote (D-21) has introduced Voter Initiative legislation in the Rhode Island General Assembly. Governor Lincoln Almond placed an advisory question for Voter Initiative on the ballot in 1996 that was approved by 52% of the voters. The full Senate and House has never had an opportunity to vote on this legislation, since it has never been allowed out of committee on either the House or Senate side.
Voter Initiative is a process that empowers citizens with the right to formally petition their government to place laws or constitutional amendments on the ballot for voter approval. Over the years, Senator Cote's legislation has been continually improved and is now considered model legislation, addressing many problems encountered in other states. Twenty four states already have Voter Initiative as well as hundreds of cities and towns, including 20 Rhode Island cities and towns.
OCG and the Rhode Island Shoreline Coalition have formed the Voter Initiative Alliance. More than twenty groups are part of the VIA, which is advocating for passage of Senator Cote’s legislation this session to place a binding question on the ballot in November 2006, asking the voters if they want Voter Initiative in Rhode Island.
The VIA has started a petition drive to collect 20,000 signatures from registered voters to present to the General Assembly in March, asking that they place this question on the ballot. We are at the malls, colleges, grocery stores, parades and special events, working hard towards that goal. We have collected 16,000 signatures to date.
To help us, call 732-0433 or go online to sign the petition at www.voterinitiative.org . Read about the legislation and the safeguards that have been incorporated into it. See who are our officers, supporting groups and supporting legislators. Send an email to your friends with the website link to sign the petition online.
