Legislatures, Initiatives, and Representation: Comparing the Effects of Institutions on Policy Outcomes

Abstract

This research compares policy outcome resulting from the legislative process and the direct ballot process to estimate the effect of political institutions on preference aggregation and policy outcomes. Using data from California statewide elections, we analyzing policies which were considered in both processes and for which the two processes led to different outcomes. We conclude that features of the legislature, especially party, may lead legislators to vote against their district majority preference, and therefore lead legislative and direct ballot outcomes to diverge.