Initiatives: Good or Bad?

California, Colorado, and other states that use the initiative should not abolish its use. Having initiatives on the ballots give citizens who are eligible to vote the ability to have a voice in government; a privilege they would otherwise not necessarily be entitled to. Even though their opinion may only be expressed on a issue such as "pregnant pigs," a person is still able to vote "yes" or "no" on something that they feel strongly about, and while doing so, are able to avoid special interest groups' attempts to block change or reform.

Because voters feel as if they have a say in their government when initiatives are used, there is an increased voter turnout, often by "three to five points" (Ballot Measures Preview 2008). Those three to five points can be the determining factor in close elections, such as the 2004 Presidential election in Ohio when George W. Bush narrowly won the ballot. Many gave credit to the prescence of the issue of gay marriage on the ballot for his victory. Even though it has not been proven that his victory happened because of the prescence of an initiative, people still went to the polls to vote.

The use of initiatives on ballots is important not only for the fact that people have a "larger voice," but they also have a reason to go to the polls; resulting in increased voter turnout. When people are given the opportunity to have a voice, they attempt to use it to the fullest extent. The prescence of initiatives gives citizens the right to choose what goes on or happens in their everyday life, and because of that, the use of initiatives should not be abolished.