The Initiative Process

Initiatives have been a part of our democratic system in Washington State for over 100 years, when the Progressive Era ushered in a new era of direct democracy. The initiative process allows Washingtonians to directly propose new legislation that will go on the ballot for voters to support or reject. 🎬 Watch the Whole Elections Explained Series - With Lesson Plans: https://teachwithtvw.org/elections-explained/ In this video, you will hear about the benefits and potential pitfalls of the initiative process from University of Washington professor Hugh Spitzer. Professor Spitzer, who specializes in Washington State Constitutional Law, shares the history of the initiative process as well as his belief in the sophistication of the Washington voter. =========================== 📚 LESSON PLAN: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pyeuuf-WROWlTGXQ60KbgL5O0m0quyfD_fplsY51mqM/edit?usp=sharing Discussion Questions: 1. What are the benefits of an initiative? 2. Why was the initiative process instituted? 3. What are the differences between an Initiative to the Legislature and an Initiative to the People? 4. Why do you think the legislature cannot change an initiative for 2 years? 5. Why are there set guidelines for the initiative process? 6. Why do you think the AG writes the ballot title? 7. What is the benefit of the Financial Impact Statement? 8. What three details should the voter be aware of when casting their ballot? 9. How does the initiative process highlight the difference between representative and direct democracy? 📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/ ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos ======================================= 🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared 🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared 🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared ======================================= Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs ======================================= 🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/ 🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared 🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts: https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/ =========================== Subscribe and Follow Teach With TVW =========================== ➡YT: @teachwithtvw360 ➡Web: https://www.teachwithtvw.org ➡FB: @Teach with TVW ➡IG: @TeachWithTVW ➡X: @TeachWithTVW ➡LI: @TeachWithTVW QUESTION - Have a question about our lesson plans or online videos? Drop it in the comments! ⏰ Timecodes ⏰ Teach with TVW is a free online resource provided by TVW for Washington state social studies teachers to engage their students in state government and help to inspire active citizens. #waleg #teachwithtvw #CapitolClassroom #CONNECTS #civics101 #legislativenavigator #ontheissues #electionsexplained The Initiative Process
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A hallmark of the Progressive Era, the initiative and referendum processes were amended into Washington’s State Constitution in 1912. The initiative process allows Washingtonians to directly propose new legislation that will go on the ballot for voters to support or reject, while the referendum process allows voters to directly reject laws already enacted by the legislature. University of Washington Law scholar, Professor Hugh Spitzer, describes the benefits and potential pitfalls of the initiative process.

Essential Questions:

  • How does the initiative process highlight the importance of direct democracy and representative democracy?
  • Why is it important for people to be educated about initiatives?

Objectives:

  1. Understand how the initiative and referendum processes work in Washington State
  2. Explain the benefits of the initiative process
  3. Explain the potential pitfalls of the initiative process
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Education Standards
  1. Middle School
    1. C2.6-8. 4 Use knowledge of the function of government to analyze and address a political issue.
    2. C4.6-8.3 Employ strategies for civic involvement that address a state or local issue.
  2. High School
    1. C2.11-12.1 Analyze citizens’ and institutions’ effectiveness in addressing social and political problems at the local, state, tribal, national and/or international level.
    2. C4.11-12.2 Analyze and evaluate ways of influencing local, state, and national governments and international organizations to establish or preserve individual rights and/or promote the common good.

Curriculum Notes:

This curriculum unit comes with a customizable GoogleSlide Deck with videos and discussion questions. Student notebooks are also available. 

*Note: to edit Google Docs or Google Slide Deck, make a copy, rename, and edit from there. 

Teacher Resources

Series