In the aftermath of the recent elections, voters are realizing that casting their ballots may not be the final step in the democratic process. Across the United States, several state legislatures are taking actions to modify the outcomes of voter-approved measures, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process.
In North Carolina, Republican lawmakers have moved swiftly to limit the powers of the incoming Democratic governor Roy Cooper. Despite the end of their supermajority, they pushed through legislation during a lame-duck session to shift authority over the state elections board to the Republican-won state auditor.
This legislative maneuvering is not unique to North Carolina. In Missouri, after voters approved a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, Republican lawmakers began efforts to reverse the decision, introducing a proposal to restrict abortion access, except in emergencies. Read more about Missouri’s amendment.
Massachusetts legislators have also decided to challenge voter intentions by altering a measure that aimed to increase legislative accountability through audits. They argue that the measure violates the separation of powers, despite its approval by voters. Learn about Massachusetts’ ballot issues.
These instances reflect a broader trend where lawmakers either delay or undermine voter-approved initiatives, as noted by political science expert Anne Whitesell, who states, “When you’re a voter, that’s not what you’re thinking is going to happen.” This sentiment is echoed in other states. In Ohio, legislative changes could alter the voter-approved legalization of recreational marijuana, and in Tennessee, state lawmakers have overridden local policies favored by voters in cities like Memphis and Nashville. Details on Tennessee’s voting issues.
In Utah, the Supreme Court intervened after the legislature attempted to undermine a voter-created redistricting commission, while in the District of Columbia, the council repealed a measure to increase minimum wage for tipped workers, previously approved by voters.
This wave of legislative pushback is particularly pronounced in North Carolina, where it has drawn national attention. Critics describe the actions as a power grab, undermining the democratic will of the voters. Rev. Rob Stephens of the Poor People’s Campaign described the situation as “a betrayal of democracy.”
As these developments unfold, it has become clear that the battle over voter-approved measures is far from over, with implications for the future of democratic governance in the United States.
