Why do some states have citizen initiated ballot measures and some don't?

Ballot initiatives are an important part of many states legislative processes.

They give citizens the power t take part in direct democracy.

With this, citizens have the ability to be more responsive to public needs.

These initiative provide a pathway for the people to introduce laws that the majority supports, even if that state's legislators do not agree or refuse to comment on a specific issue being voted on.

In Indiana, one such hot button issue is around cannabis legislation.

According to a poll from th Bowen Center for Public Affairs, 54% of Hoosiers would like to see recreational marijuana hit store shelves and 32% sa it should be legal medicinally.

Just 10%.

That's right... Just 10% are against ALL forms of legalization.

It seems much of Indiana is ready for change when it comes to this topic.

However, the state's local government operates under Dillon's Rule, which means that the power to enact this change was solely with the Indiana General Assembly, which has been reluctant to budge on this issue.

So why doesn't Indiana allow for ballot initiatives to circumvent the stagnation?

Well, back in 1851, Indiana's final constitutional convention was held at the statehouse.

Before the convention, lawmakers formed a set of proposals they wish to add to the state constitution.

At the time, the majority of them felt that the public had hired THEM to worry about public issues, and that allowing ballot initiatives would only BURDEN the citizens of Indiana Because of this share perspective among party leaders.

Ballot initiatives didn't make it into the state constitution.

Ironically the only way Indiana and states like it will ever get citizen led ballot initiatives is if elected officials put this constitutional amendment on the ballot themselves.

Just like any other issue.

What do you think?

Are ballot initiatives a good idea?

Or should we trust our elected officials to decide what issues we vote on?