Which reform enables voters to directly vote on policy issues?

Which reform enables voters to directly vote on policy issues?

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

Answer: (B)

Direct democracy through the referendum puts policy questions directly in voters’ hands, allowing them to approve or reject laws or constitutional amendments on the ballot rather than relying solely on elected representatives. In Progressive Era reforms, this mechanism was used to give citizens a direct say on important policy issues—so the public could shape law by a final yes or no vote. It’s distinct from an initiative, which gives people the power to propose new laws themselves to be voted on; recall, which lets voters remove an official from office; and a direct primary, which changes how party nominees are chosen rather than how laws are decided. Hence, the referendum is the reform that enables voters to directly vote on policy issues.

Direct democracy through the referendum puts policy questions directly in voters’ hands, allowing them to approve or reject laws or constitutional amendments on the ballot rather than relying solely on elected representatives. In Progressive Era reforms, this mechanism was used to give citizens a direct say on important policy issues—so the public could shape law by a final yes or no vote. It’s distinct from an initiative, which gives people the power to propose new laws themselves to be voted on; recall, which lets voters remove an official from office; and a direct primary, which changes how party nominees are chosen rather than how laws are decided. Hence, the referendum is the reform that enables voters to directly vote on policy issues.