Measure 2's Single-Subject Rule Is A "Back-Door Veto"

By creating an undefined rule for the Secretary of State to enforce, Measure 2 unintentionally creates a "back-door veto" on the will of the people based on the abuses in other states.

On Sunday, I wrote about how Measure 2 is yet another attempt to remedy the mistrust legislators have when it comes the way their own voters decide how to vote on ballot measures.

Measure 2 Reflects Distrust Of Voters

I had a couple people respond asking why I thought the “single-subject rule” in Measure 2 is a problem, since I have advocated for that sort of transparency in legislation in the past, which I have.

Here’s a short explanation as to why the “single-subject rule” as found in Measure 2 is different than other versions, and why it is problematic.

Measure 2 Grants Undefined And Open-Ended Power To The Secretary of State

Section 2 of Measure 2 states: “An initiated measure may not embrace or be comprised of more than one subject, as determined by the secretary of state.”

That is repeated in Section 9 to apply to constitutional initiated measures in a slightly different way: “The petition may be circulated only by qualified electors. The proposed amendment may not embrace or be comprised of more than one subject, as de…