Which reform allows voters to instruct the legislature to consider a specific bill?

Which reform allows voters to instruct the legislature to consider a specific bill?

• A. Initiative
• B. Referendum
• C. Recall
• D. Direct Primary

Answer: (A)

Initiative gives voters the power to draft a bill and compel the legislature to consider it, often through a petition drive that places the measure before lawmakers or on a ballot. This direct-action tool is exactly what lets citizens instruct the legislature to take up specific legislation, a hallmark of Progressive Era reforms expanding direct democracy and limiting machine-controlled influence. By contrast, a referendum lets voters approve or reject laws that the legislature has already proposed or enacted, recall removes elected officials, and a direct primary changes how party candidates are nominated.

Initiative gives voters the power to draft a bill and compel the legislature to consider it, often through a petition drive that places the measure before lawmakers or on a ballot. This direct-action tool is exactly what lets citizens instruct the legislature to take up specific legislation, a hallmark of Progressive Era reforms expanding direct democracy and limiting machine-controlled influence. By contrast, a referendum lets voters approve or reject laws that the legislature has already proposed or enacted, recall removes elected officials, and a direct primary changes how party candidates are nominated.