INITIATIVE

initiative (i-nish-ee-<<schwa>>-tiv or i-nish-<<schwa>>-tiv). An electoral process by which a percentage of voters can propose legislation and compel a vote on it by the legislature or by the full electorate. • Recognized in some state constitutions, the initiative is one of the few methods of direct democracy in an otherwise representative system. Cf. REFERENDUM. [Cases: Municipal Corporations 108; Statutes 301–327. C.J.S. Municipal Corporations §§ 311–313, 315,

325–326; Statutes §§ 108–114, 116–136, 139–144.]

[Blacks Law 8th]