Issue Position: More Californians/Fewer Sacramento Politicians in the Ballot Initiative Process

Issue Position

Earlier this year, the U.S. Third Circuit Court found that Governor Brown, the Secretary of State, and the Legislature unconstitutionally placed Proposition 30 at the top of the ballot through an all-too-typical insider deal. The Ballot Initiative is the "People's Voice" in California and must be protected against Sacramento overreach. We need more Californians involved in the initiative process, not politicians. Through technology and better public engagement, we can keep the ballot box in the hands of informed Californians, where it belongs.

Pete's Plan:

- Propose a "Citizen's Initiative Review"-- a process that utilizes a "Citizens' Jury" to review and comment on state ballot initiatives.

- Propose an "e-Petition" system with electronic signature gathering that will generate online involvement in the legislative process.

- Develop an online system so citizens can weigh in on important legislative issues on a real-time basis, and so that professional politicians hear from real Californians, not just special interest lobbyists.

- Stand up and fight for the voters against power plays and phony "reform" efforts ---- that actually strengthen the power of special interests, like the Prop 30 hijinks.

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