Main menu For students For teachers Explore our subjects Student events & courses

Free Politics resources

Study Notes

Propositions

Level:
A-Level
Board:
AQA, Edexcel, IB, OCR

Last updated 22 Mar 2021

Share this content:

A proposition is typically a proposed piece of legislation, that a selection of the state population wishes to see enacted. It will be brought about by the process of an initiative.

Propositions will normally begin life as an idea from a campaign group who are seeking to either introduce or repeal a piece of state law. Notable examples of propositions include:

  • None of the above ballot option for elections
  • Term limits for Congressional representatives
  • Various taxes including for tobacco and alcohol
  • Prohibiting and legalisation of same-sex marriage
  • School vouchers or school facility requirements
  • Public Work Projects
  • Congestion Charges
  • Election Day voter registration
  • Balanced budget requirements
  • Notification to a parent of the termination of a teen pregnancy.

As propositions are submitted via the initiative method, they will require a petition to be circulated beforehand and the petition must reach the required population threshold. At this point if successful the proposition will go to a public ballot.

Propositions can be particularly controversial, as groups are often willing to attempt to legislate in areas that politicians would not touch for fear of the political consequences.

Share this content: