What is the purpose of a ballot initiative?

Ballot initiatives are a form of direct democracy that allows citizens of a state to take action on legislation without relying on their state government. In New Mexico, citizens can propose new laws, amend existing laws, or repeal laws through a ballot initiative. The purpose of a ballot initiative is to give citizens direct power to create, change, or overturn laws when their elected officials are unwilling or unable to do so. The ballot initiative process begins with a proposal. A group of citizens, often referred to as the "proponents," must gather signatures from registered voters that represent at least 4% of the total voters in the last general election. There are also requirements for the proposal itself, such as a clear title and a complete statement of the proposed law. After the signatures have been collected, the proponents must submit their proposal to the state. At this point, the state will review the proposal to make sure it meets the requirements and will schedule the initiative for the next general election ballot. If the measure passes, it becomes a law. If it fails, it is not adopted. Ballot initiatives can be an effective way for citizens to take action on their own. They can help citizens bypass unresponsive or unpopular elected officials, and they can give ordinary citizens the power to create laws without relying on their government.

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What is the purpose of a ballot initiative?

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