Ironically, they are exploiting hard-won democratizing reforms of an earlier era. Eastern and Southern political establishments largely resisted the initiative and referendum. However, citizens' groups won the reform in more populist Midwestern and Western states. Voters in these states used ballot initiatives to regulate businesses, legislate working conditions, and expand women's rights. Now the law in 24 states, the initiative and referendum gives about half the U.S. population the opportunity to exercise a limited measure of direct democracy.
Initiatives give citizens the right to create and vote on laws directly.
Referenda allow voters to repeal by popular vote any state law. There is also a method for citizens to initiate constitutional amendments. However, as in campaigns for public office, big money has distorted the process. More recently, large corporations and newly minted millionaires have begun to use initiatives and referenda proactively. Sometimes they use the ballot to promote their special financial interests, sometimes to push personal political agendas.