(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the Ocean State would like to amend their existing legislation, according to a poll by Alpha Research Associates. 59 per cent of respondents would support a ballot initiative that would allow citizens to propose and change laws without General Assembly approval.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – Many adults in the Ocean State would like to amend their existing legislation, according to a poll by Alpha Research Associates. 59 per cent of respondents would support a ballot initiative that would allow citizens to propose and change laws without General Assembly approval.
The Voter Initiative concept allows citizens to propose, amend, and repeal laws—including the state constitution—through a formal petition and signature gathering process. Supporters of the question have gathered the 20,000 signatures required to place the issue on the Nov. 7 ballot.
Don Carcieri—a Republican—was elected in the November 2002 gubernatorial ballot, defeating Democrat challenger Myrth York with 55 per cent of the vote. Carcieri took over in January 2003 from fellow GOP member Lincoln Almond.
In September 2005, Carcieri voiced support for the Voter Initiative proposal—developed by Democratic state senator Marc Cote—saying, “I don’t think you are going to find very many (candidates) that are willing to say, ‘No, I am not in favour of the citizens of our state being able to put on the ballot something they care deeply about’ and then not getting any movement out of the General Assembly.”
Polling Data
How would you vote on the ballot initiative which would allow citizens to propose and change laws to amend the state constitution without General Assembly approval?
Yes | 59% |
No | 25% |
Undecided | 16% |
Source: Alpha Research Associates
Methodology: Interviews to 414 Rhode Island adults, conducted from Feb. 20 to Feb. 27, 2006. Margin of error is 5 per cent.
