Initiative Process in Washington

This is an introduction to the Seattle University Law Review's Symposium on the initiative process in Washington. In this Symposium, the authors address a variety of issues associated with the initiative process in our state. They examine the specific case of Initiative 695, the role of the courts in reviewing initiatives, the application of the Republican Government Clause in the United States Constitution to Washington's initiative process, and the larger question of whether the entire initiative process is unconstitutional. These articles are timely analyses of a pressing public issue.

This Seattle University Law Review Symposium on initiatives will highlight difficult issues facing the initiative process in Washington and will offer substantive and sensible ways of interpreting and dealing with initiatives in our state. All who value our democratic system will look forward to the thoughts of the many fine authors writing for this Symposium.