Process Available

Legislative Referendum

Elections Division

I&R Constitutional and Statutory Provisions

Winston Allen Flint, writing in The Progressive Movement in Vermont, noted that "no serious attempt was ever made in Vermont" to get a statewide initiative process: "There is little evidence to show that it was given any important recognition in Vermont by party platforms, legislators, press, or public opinion. "

In 1981 and 1982, however, Vermonters used their local initiative process in over 200 town meetings to vote on a resolution calling for U.S. - Soviet nuclear arms freeze. More than 160 towns backed the freeze, which therefore had much the same effect as a statewide initiative.

This state history is based on research found in David Schmidt's book, Citizen Lawmakers: The Ballot Initiative Revolution.