EDITORIAL: Restrict initiatives? One professor prefers the Washington system

Washington, Oregon and California have what is known as “direct democracy.” That’s the political scientists’ term for the initiative and referendum. Voters can adopt state laws without help from the legislature.

The West Coast systems are not identical, though. One difference is that in Oregon and California, initiatives can be used to amend the state constitution. Voters in Washington can’t do that; they can only “initiate” and approve statutes that have the same standing as laws passed by the legislature.

While this clearly is a difference, does it make much difference in practical effect?

Todd Donovan seems to think so. A political science professor at Western Washington University, Donovan wrote a column on this subject for The Oregonian a week before the midterm election.