{"id":351459,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/what-is-a-citizen-ballot-measure\/want-something-on-the-ballot-in-2020.html"},"modified":"2024-04-23T10:56:54","modified_gmt":"2024-04-23T15:56:54","slug":"want-something-on-the-ballot-in-2020","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/how-u-s-elections-work\/what-is-a-citizen-ballot-measure\/want-something-on-the-ballot-in-2020.html","title":{"rendered":"Want Something on the Ballot in 2020?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Want Something on the Ballot?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Is there a law you feel legislators should change but don’t know what to do? You can mobilize voters and change it through a ballot initiative.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Through a ballot initiative, ordinary citizens determine the fate of legislation most likely to affect them.<\/p>\r\n

In the United States, when ordinary citizens want something on the ballot, they have the power to do so. They can do this using a ballot initiative. The beauty of a ballot initiative is that the people decide their fate through legislation.<\/p>\r\n

A Little Background on Ballot Initiatives<\/h2>\r\n

A ballot initiative is how registered voters collect valid signatures on an initiative petition to place measures on a ballot for a public vote. The procedure for a ballot initiative varies depending on where you live.<\/p>\r\n

Generally, states offer two types of ballot initiatives:<\/p>\r\n