Journal article
The initiative to party: Partisanship and ballot initiatives in California
Party politics, Vol.7(6), pp.739-757
2001
DOI: 10.1177/1354068801007006004
Abstract
Previous research on the initiative process tends to underestimate the involvement of political parties in ballot measure contests as well as the impact of partisanship on initiative voting. Focusing on recent ballot contests in California, we find that the two major party organizations in California are actively using ballot initiatives to bolster voter turnout for their candidates, divide the opposition with `wedge' issues and promote their own party's platform and ideology. This party involvement in initiative contests seems to be paying off, as partisanship is the strongest predictor of votes on ballot measures in California at both the aggregate and individual levels. More generally, our research - which runs counter to the expectations of Populist and Progressive reformers - shines new light on how political parties are shaping not only the process, but also the politics of direct democracy.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The initiative to party: Partisanship and ballot initiatives in California
- Creators
- Daniel A SmithCaroline J Tolbert
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Party politics, Vol.7(6), pp.739-757
- DOI
- 10.1177/1354068801007006004
- ISSN
- 1354-0688
- eISSN
- 1460-3683
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2001
- Academic Unit
- Center for Social Science Innovation; Public Policy Center (Archive); Political Science
- Record Identifier
- 9983989282502771
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