The Report Card is a comprehensive review of initiative and referendum rights in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report details the policies and laws that restrict these rights, and suggests reforms for each state to improve its grade. Rhode Island received a D in the 2010 Report Card. Citizens of the state do not have the ability to put measures on the state-wide ballot, and while a process does exist at the local level, it is not enough to raise the states grade.
When it comes to voters having a direct voice in their government, Rhode Island gets a failing grade, said Citizens in Charge Foundation President Paul Jacob. If you or I brought a D home on a report card, it wouldnt be acceptable. And it shouldnt be accepted when it comes to our First Amendment rights. We want to work with citizens and legislators in Rhode Island to improve access to initiative and referendum rights and pull up this grade.
The 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights analyzed numerous aspects of state and local initiative laws, both positive and negative, to determine each states final grade. A state was awarded points if citizens had the ability to propose statewide constitutional amendments, statutory initiatives, or to call a referendum on legislative acts through a citizen petition process. States were also given points for allowing local initiatives throughout the state. Points were deducted for high signature requirements, short periods in which citizens must gather petitions and other restrictive policies.
The important thing about any report card is to know where you stand so that specific improvement can be made, said Jacob. There is much room for improvement. By laying out a clear road map for needed reforms in each state, we look to work with citizens and legislators to make this process more open and accessible to the people. Rhode Island can improve its grade in a number of different ways. It can expand citizen access by allowing citizens to propose state constitutional amendments, statutory laws, and veto referenda.
The 2010 Report Card on Statewide Voter Initiative Rights allows citizens and legislators to compare their initiative and referendum rights with those of people in other states, and encourages embracing best practices from those other states. The state report is available at: www.CitizensInCharge.org/states/Rhode-Island