On October 10, 1911 – 100 years ago today – California held a special election to consider a variety of political reforms such as:
- Should women have the right to vote? (This had been on the ballot 15 years earlier in 1896 but it didn’t pass).
- Should the public have the ability to put citizens initiatives on the ballot for approval directly by the voters?
- Should voters have the right to recall politicians they do not like?
- Should voters have the right to over turn laws that they do not like?
California voters did approve the reforms for “direct democracy.” These were in response to a political system seen as in thrall to special interests. But 100 years (and 348 initiatives) later, while Californians poll as wanting to keep these rights, many also recognize how the initiative system in particular has ironically become its own victim of special interests. The folks at PPIC have prepared a quick primer on public attitudes and potential reforms for California’s initiative process.
And, yes, one hundred years ago today, voters also gave women the right to vote in California. But it was a cliffhanger. Early results looked like it was not going to pass. But as the votes were counted, the tide finally turned. It came down to just about a one vote difference per precinct which made California the sixth state that gave women this right and doubled the number of female voters. That helped create the momentum to give all U.S. women the right to vote in 1920.
There are many ways to celebrate this important anniversary. Many communities and historical museums have activities and exhibits honoring women earning the right to vote. Prominent government reformers will be gathering at an all day conference in Sacramento to discuss how to improve direct democracy. Also in Sacramento today, we’ll be celebrating this anniversary by helping lead voting and civic engagement workshops at the VALUE adult learner leadership conference in Sacramento. I believe there’s no more appropriate place to be. 
As VALUE USA President Faye Combs has shared, “I was an active voter for years. But I always relied on my husband’s recommendations. It wasn’t until I had the Easy Voter Guide that I was able to make my own decisions.” Let’s celebrate the rights of all citizens to vote AND to get nonpartisan information that helps them be independent voters.
Kathy Armstrong is co-leading a workshop with Beatriz Garcia and Susan Stuart Clark is leading one with ReJoyce Ross. It’s going to be a great day!
Grateful to those courageous women (100 years ago) who fought for our right to participate. I’m also aware that the women in Saudia Arabia were only JUST (in the last week?) given the opportunity to vote.
Having recently moved back to NY after living in California for over 30 years, I have a renewed appreciation for California’s “direct democracy”. Yes, it sometimes took a long time to prepare and to actually vote in California and, yes, we sometimes laughed about the inordinate number of propositions confronting us each election day. But when I left the voting booth, I always felt like I had a real effect on what would be happening on a state and local level. I miss that feeling. I love how you are celebrating and would just like to suggest that we pause to think about the many women throughout the world who still do not enjoy the privilege of voting and how we can support them to obtain it.
I have great confidence that women voters in California and women throughout the world will continue to shape our world in important ways in the next 100 years