An Amazing New Book on the Initiative Process is Now Available!

Carolina Academic Press has just released the Initiative & Referendum Institute's new book, "The Initiative and Referendum Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to the Initiative and Referendum Process in the U.S."

The Almanac, which is almost a 1,000 pages in length, is the most complete and comprehensive history of the I&R process in the United States. The Almanac provides information on: the definitions of initiative and referendum; the roots of the initiative and referendum movement in the U.S.; the history of how the process has been utilized - including a state by state overview of the I&R movement from the mid 1800s to today (thanks to David Schmidt); the regulations associated with using the initiative process in each state; the legislative attempts to regulate the process; the role the judiciary has in relation to the initiative process; and a series of comprehensive essays from leading scholars and activists on the reforms that have been brought about through the initiative process - abortion, women’s suffrage, environmental reform, animal rights, education reforms, tax reform, gay rights, term limits, campaign finance reform, drug policy reform – and the list goes on.

The book also provides the reader with a complete listing of all relevant laws associated with utilizing the initiative and referendum process in each state as well as a checklist of the major steps that must be undertaken in order to use the initiative process. In addition, the appendix is a gold mine of information. It contains a complete listing of every statewide initiative that has appeared on the ballot since 1904 as well as various other charts and graphs tracking the usage of the initiative and referendum process since its adoption in 1898.

The completion of this Almanac has been one of the Institute's greatest priorities. It is a very factual and unbiased look at the I&R process in the U.S. and is a phenomenal reference tool for activists, academics and the media.

Reviews

“This uniquely comprehensive volume provides a wealth of invaluable information about the initiative and referendum process in the United States. The volume combines detailed information about the constitutional and statutory bases of initiative and referendum usage in all fifty states; descriptions of the major court decisions and legislative attempts to regulate the process; comparisons of I&R provisions across the states; and scholarly analyses of some of the main theoretical debates concerning its use. This is certain to be a critical resource for academics, policy analysts, advocates, lawmakers, citizens, the media – indeed, anyone interested in this increasingly important method of citizen lawmaking.”

Elisabeth R. Gerber
Professor of Public Policy
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
University of Michigan

“The initiative and referendum mechanisms are two of the jewels of American democracy. They have been the tools used to usher in critically important reforms in society, and they serve to excite and engage the electorate. This Almanac provides a detailed roadmap on the history and workings of this important process. I recommend it for any person interested in politics in America.”

Wayne Pacelle
Senior Vice President
The Humane Society of the United States

“This is what we have been waiting for. As penetrating and stimulating as it is thorough and even-handed, the Almanac will spark and inform debate about our most democratic process of lawmaking. It is a gift to activists and scholars alike.”

Richard Parker
Williams Professor of Law
Harvard Law School