Question

Progressives fought political corruption fiercely at the state level. Which election reform did progressives advocate in order to return power to the people?

A) Direct initiative
B) Ballot
C) Primary
D) All of the above

Answer 1

Progressives advocated for direct initiative, the use of ballots in referendums and recall processes, and the direct primary election system to return electoral power to the people, with all the reforms aiming to reintroduce direct democracy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Progressives fought fiercely against political corruption at the state level and advocated for various election reforms to return power to the people. These reforms included direct initiative, where citizens could propose new laws via petitions, referendum, allowing citizens to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature, and the recall process, enabling the removal of elected officials through a petition and vote. Additionally, they pushed for the direct primary system, allowing voters to select party nominees, and the direct election of U.S. senators through the 17th amendment.

To answer the student's query, the election reform that progressives advocated in order to return power to the people are A) Direct initiative, B) Ballot (as it is involved in all these processes, though not an 'election reform' per se), and C) Primary. Therefore, the correct answer is D) All of the above.