What are merit and demerit of referendum in California?

Answer 1

Merits of referendums in California include enhanced direct democracy, allowing citizens to have a direct say in important policy decisions and increasing voter engagement. They can also serve as a check on legislative actions that may not align with public sentiment. However, demerits include the potential for misinformation to influence voter decisions and the risk of populism overriding expert opinions, which can lead to poorly informed outcomes. Additionally, the frequent use of referendums can result in voter fatigue and complicate the legislative process.