Balance of power in government

The three branches of government that should balance each other are well-known to students of government. The power of the Executive Branch is held in check by the Judiciary and the Legislative branch. Similarly, the courts are balanced by the governor's office and lawmakers; and the legislature is balanced by the courts and the governor.

There are also provisions to balance citizens' interest with the power of the legislature.

One is the ballot box. Voters unhappy with their representative certainly can wait for their term of office to expire and vote them out of office.

The other is the initiative process, which gives citizens the ability to create and pass legislation independent of their elected officials. It is created as an initiative and if enough voters sign a petition to place the initiative on the ballot, voters can vote the initiative up or down at the next election. This procedure may signal to their elected officials that they are generally pleased with their representation but that the legislature is reluctant to pass a particular piece of legislation.

The constitutionally guaranteed right to petition government is a pain in the neck for legislators who want to be the sole body able to initiate and pass legislation. The usual method of legislation is very good. It allowed careful consideration, debating, and often amending bills to approve them. This is sufficient -- most of the time.

Issues that relate to their conduct and the extent of their power are especially suited to voter oversight. The initiatives for legislative ethics and for fair boundaries in redistricting are precisely suited to citizen involvement.