Draft Amendments

Since we can  circulate two petitions, the two parts of our proposed reform are separated to improve each one’s chances in court.

The Right of Initiative amendment aims to secure the traditional citizens’ right to propose and enact law to the extent state law is currently likely to permit,

The Citizens’ Forum, seeks to define a modern version of citizen lawmaking that might act as a more democratic substitute for the yes or no, sometimes money-driven process of traditional ballot measures. What minimum parameters are ideal for fair and informed communal deliberation? (Potentially useful outside New York.)

Sections coded by color, with cross/dagger bookends linking to relevant discussion posts which, along with the main previous drafts are in Improving our Amendment. Italics indicate material that would be added to the charter. Stuff we are removing from the existing charter is crossed out. Not sure that we get to pick the numbering of new sections, but for convenience’s sake we’ve done so. Current charter can be accessed in the right sidebar.

Comments and suggestions are incorporated as they come in.  We’re currently having weekly drafting sessions downtown and on Google wave.  As much of the formatting must be painstakingly redone to import the most up-to-date drafts, this happens more monthly than weekly.  Just get in touch to join in.