Voters in several states are currently deciding whether to include abortion protections in their state constitutions through ballot referendums. These referendums have gained popularity since the Supreme Court’s decision on Roe v. Wade.
The states considering adding abortion access to their constitutions are mostly Republican-led. However, the reason these issues are up for a vote is due to citizen-led ballot initiatives.
Unlike some states, Texas does not have a process for citizens to place initiatives on the ballot. Constitutional amendment referendums in Texas must be initiated by state lawmakers and cannot be put forward by citizens collecting signatures.
The absence of a citizen-led initiative process in Texas dates back to the early 1900s. During the progressive era when wealthy individuals had significant influence over state legislatures, other states adopted ballot initiatives to give more power to citizens. However, Texas did not pursue this path due to the lack of a strong progressive reformist movement.
While Democratic state senators in Texas introduced a bill for citizen-led initiatives last year, it did not progress far. The senators believed that citizen ballot initiatives could reflect public opinion and hold lawmakers accountable. However, there is limited political support for this idea in Texas.
Despite the potential benefits of citizen-led initiatives, some individuals have concerns. Political consultant Deirdre Delisi believes that the process could become influenced by those with significant financial resources. Campaigning in a large state like Texas can be costly, leading to poorly drafted laws that have unintended consequences.
Additionally, citizen-led initiatives can require voters to make complex decisions on policy matters that they may not fully understand. This raises questions about whether this approach is the best way to determine policy.
While there have been bipartisan efforts in the past to create a citizen initiative process in Texas, there is currently little interest among lawmakers to change the existing system. Some argue that the representative form of government should adequately reflect the interests of the people.
However, not everyone feels represented by the current system. The rise of citizen-led initiatives in red states indicates a desire for policies that align more closely with community needs.
For instance, Texas has strict abortion laws that do not align with the views of most voters. Only 13% of Texans believe that abortion should be entirely prohibited, yet the current law does not provide exceptions for rape or incest.
Although Texans will not be voting on citizen-initiated statewide initiatives, the upcoming elections will allow voters to voice their opinions on various issues. With a record number of registered voters this November, many Texans are expected to participate in shaping the future of their state through the ballot box.
