Northern Kentucky University

Petitioner Study: Examining Happiness Levels amongst Petitioners of Direct Democracy

Institution

Northern Kentucky University

Abstract

With the recent rise in public support for initiatives, as well as increasingly high numbers of proposed initiatives within the United States, it is important to understand the effects of this process. As shown through previous research the initiative process can have significant effects on several aspects of both legislation, and more directly upon the citizens involved with its processes, such as with increased political efficacy. Though, the effects of direct democracy within the United States are not limited to these areas, as is demonstrated through the findings of this study.By examining 91 petitioners' of direct democracy from across the United States, selfreported subjective well-being amongst several other variables, including the ability to maintain a high quality of life, increased sense of community through working on ballot propositions, having access to financial and moral support systems, being actively involved citizens outside of the direct democracy process, the length of time that petitioners have been involved within the direct democracy process, and the levels of satisfaction obtained with the proposed ballot measure, I find that petitioners experience consistently high levels of happiness.These findings suggest that petitioners of direct democracy do generally experience high levels of happiness, as well as high quality of life, a greater sense of community, and have access to group support. I demonstrate that there are consistently high levels of happiness among petitioners.

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Petitioner Study: Examining Happiness Levels amongst Petitioners of Direct Democracy

With the recent rise in public support for initiatives, as well as increasingly high numbers of proposed initiatives within the United States, it is important to understand the effects of this process. As shown through previous research the initiative process can have significant effects on several aspects of both legislation, and more directly upon the citizens involved with its processes, such as with increased political efficacy. Though, the effects of direct democracy within the United States are not limited to these areas, as is demonstrated through the findings of this study.By examining 91 petitioners' of direct democracy from across the United States, selfreported subjective well-being amongst several other variables, including the ability to maintain a high quality of life, increased sense of community through working on ballot propositions, having access to financial and moral support systems, being actively involved citizens outside of the direct democracy process, the length of time that petitioners have been involved within the direct democracy process, and the levels of satisfaction obtained with the proposed ballot measure, I find that petitioners experience consistently high levels of happiness.These findings suggest that petitioners of direct democracy do generally experience high levels of happiness, as well as high quality of life, a greater sense of community, and have access to group support. I demonstrate that there are consistently high levels of happiness among petitioners.