Reforming Elections
During the progressive era elections were reformed. Power to create laws was placed in the hands of citizens. Citizens have the power to create laws through the initiative, the referendum, and the recall. The initiative was a bill created by the people instead of lawmakers. Citizens petitioned to put initiatives on the ballots. A referendum was a vote on the initiative. Instead of legislatures voting on the bill, the people did. The people had the power to accept or reject a bill. Recall was when voters removed officials from office by having them face another election if enough voters wanted them to. 20 states had adopted at least one of initiative, referendum, or recall by 1920. This reform of elections gave more power to the people than in the past, where legislatures had the power.
In 1899, the power to choose candidates for public office was given to the people instead of political machines. This was called the primary system. Voters choose candidates through special popular elections. By 1915 two-thirds of states were following the direct primary system.
Direct primary systems led to the addition of the Seventeenth Amendment to the constitution. Before this each state’s legislature had chosen their U.S. senator. Much power was given to party bosses and rich corporation heads. After the addition of the amendment power was given to the people. People elected the senators. This led to senators being more involved with the state of the public. Many states started to nominate their senators through direct primaries. By 1913 the seventeenth amendment was ratified. This amendment made it the law for senators to be elected by the people.
In 1899, the power to choose candidates for public office was given to the people instead of political machines. This was called the primary system. Voters choose candidates through special popular elections. By 1915 two-thirds of states were following the direct primary system.
Direct primary systems led to the addition of the Seventeenth Amendment to the constitution. Before this each state’s legislature had chosen their U.S. senator. Much power was given to party bosses and rich corporation heads. After the addition of the amendment power was given to the people. People elected the senators. This led to senators being more involved with the state of the public. Many states started to nominate their senators through direct primaries. By 1913 the seventeenth amendment was ratified. This amendment made it the law for senators to be elected by the people.