Question

What did Progressives hope to do through initiatives, recalls, and referendums?

Answer 1

Progressives sought to increase citizen participation and democratic control over government through initiatives, referendums, and recalls, with the aim of countering the power of special interests and making the political process more receptive to the public will.

Step-by-step explanation:

Progressives in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries aimed to reform the political process by promoting greater citizen participation in the electoral process. They introduced three specific tools: initiatives, referendums, and recalls. The initiative allowed voters to propose new legislation by garnering sufficient signatures to place the proposal on the ballot, effectively bypassing the state legislature. The referendum was a process that enabled voters to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature. Lastly, the recall allowed citizens to remove elected officials from office through a voting process. These reforms were part of a larger effort to make the government more responsive and accountable to the needs of its citizens by diminishing the influence of special interests and political machines.

Answer 2

The referendum allows voters to have a say on proposed legislation. The initiative allows voters to get legislation introduced into the state legislature. The recall allows voters to remove an elected official before that person's term expires.