Protect Austin's Direct Democracy

We are facing a critical moment in our city's history where our democratic rights are under threat.

The City of Austin Charter Commission, with appointed representatives from the City Council, has advanced a proposal to raise signature requirements on voter-initiated measures and it will be voted on by City Council next Thursday, May 4th.

The voter-initiated ordinance process has been one of our city’s most powerful tools for direct democracy. These grassroots effort brought to us transformative reforms of city policy that helped throw out the racist “Gentlemen's Agreement,” replacing it with the current 10-1 geographic representation. And, it was Austin voters who rallied against developer greed to sponsor the Save Our Springs Initiative Ordinance, a catalyst ordinance that led to a generation of environmental protection efforts and reforms.

The loss of this tool makes it more difficult and less likely for groups to come together as part of a movement. It takes 20,000 people (months of effort) to gather enough signatures to hold a City election on a voter-initiated ordinance. That is no small task. It requires significant time and energy to convince 20,000 voters to agree to sign their name. Yet ,it only takes one lobbyist to bundle enough donations to convince 6 council members to do the same. If the City Council is concerned about supporting democracy, their efforts are misplaced.

The Charter Commission has also recommended raising signatures on recall efforts, an important "check" on the power. Council Members who are afraid of facing a recall have asked their appointed members to recommend raising the signature requirement from 10% of qualified votes, making it more difficult for such a petition to be successful. They claim, by increasing the number of signatures required, it “raises the price” for entry. What they really mean is that it raises the price on democracy. 

These efforts are not grounded in practical experience. In Austin’s recent history, there have been ZERO instances of successful recall efforts, including the entire duration of the 10-1 era. That’s because Austin voters already use discernment in signing these efforts. It’s simply a shameful attempt for those in power to remain in power, after catching wind that some voters are unhappy with their performance on the Council dais. 

Don't let a few powerful people (council members, some elected by less than 10% of voters) steal the power of direct democracy from Austin voters. Please, take a moment and send a message to the Austin City Council and Mayor Kirk Watson telling them to PRESERVE AUSTIN’S DIRECT DEMOCRACY.