New Rules and Major Changes to Nevada’s Initiative Petition Process
Since 1909, the Nevada Constitution has allowed direct democracy in the form of the initiative process. Nevada is one of twenty-seven states that have the initiative or popular referendum process whereby citizens can place issues on the ballot. However, Nevada is unique in its requirement that an initiative to amend the constitution must be approved by voters twice, in two successive elections, before taking effect. Despite that requirement, voters have seen a steady increase in the number of initiative petitions.
By John W. Griffin and Russell M. Rowe