Alaska Constitution Article XI – Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
Here is a summary of Article XI of the Alaska Constitution, titled "Initiative, Referendum, and Recall":
🗳️ Article XI – Initiative, Referendum, and Recall
This article outlines how citizens of Alaska can directly participate in lawmaking and government accountability through three main tools:
1. Initiative (Section 1–3)
Allows citizens to propose new laws or amend existing ones by:
Gathering a required number of petition signatures.
Submitting the proposal for a public vote if the legislature doesn’t adopt it first.
📌 Restrictions: Initiatives cannot be used to:
Dedicate revenues,
Make or repeal appropriations,
Create courts,
Define court jurisdiction,
Prescribe court rules,
Enact local or special legislation.
2. Referendum (Section 4–5)
Allows voters to approve or reject laws passed by the legislature:
A referendum petition can suspend a law from taking effect until a statewide vote is held.
Certain laws (e.g., appropriations) are exempt from referendum.
3. Recall (Section 6–8)
Grants voters the power to remove elected public officials (including the governor):
A petition must be filed and signed by a percentage of qualified voters.
A special election is held to decide whether to recall the official.
4. General Provisions (Section 9)
The legislature is directed to enact laws to implement and regulate the initiative, referendum, and recall processes.
These laws must ensure fairness, clarity, and accessibility.
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