I mean, Is it worthwhile or not to vote on ballot measures? California can’t be the only state which has put measures on the ballot, which have passed but were stalled (and sometimes killed) in courts after the election. Someone commented, “Why bother to vote on a measure when even if it passes someone is going to find some cockamamie reason to sic a judge on it?”
Any Dopers with me on this?
In some cases, though it’s not mentioned at the time, the ballot measure is there simply because it is an attempt to challenge the court decisions on the matter. There are many California propositions which have done this – Prop 212 (failed, but 208 passed but is being challenged, hence the current Prop 31 or 34 or whichever it is). Props. 187 and 209, I think, were also intended to stir up controversy.
The ballot initiative is the only way that those not in the legislature (i.e. the common people, I mean the PACs and special interest groups that claim to represent them) can bring these matters before the courts for review. The legislature is not likely to pass such laws, since who would vote for someone so inept as to pass laws that seem doomed to fail? But sometimes people do really want to test the courts and see what will happen.
Also, the controversy can arise of its own. In other words the ballot measure is passed, then the lawsuits spring up. Of course, since it is state law, and the lawsuits often must appeal to the federal level, the law is often in effect until the case is decided.
So vote for what you think is right. Some day there might be more or less democracy in this country, and you might as well practice (or use it while you can.)
Voting is never futile. Voters determine policy, and if you don’t vote, you’re letting others do that for you – and it’s unlikely they’ll share your opinions.