Dr. Daniel A. Smith

My research broadly examines the democratic process of American politics, with particular emphasis on institutions and patterns of political participation in the American states.

In 2004, I co-authored with Caroline Tolbert, 'Educated by Initiative: The Effects of Direct Democracy on Citizens and Political Organizations in the American States' (University of Michigan Press). Over the past decade, ballot initiatives - dismantling affirmative action, allowing medical marijuana, term limiting legislators, regulating abortions, cutting taxes, banning gay rights, reforming education, and protecting the environment and animals - have altered public policy and the process of representative government itself in the American states. Rather than investigating the substantive impact of ballot measures on public policy, we focus on how the process of citizen lawmaking affects American democracy and citizenship by educating the electorate and shaping political organizations. Situating the initiative in historical perspective, we critically examine the secondary, educative purposes of the initiative using contemporary data. We explore whether ballot initiatives stimulate voter turnout, civic engagement, and political efficacy among the electorate. We assess how the process of citizen lawmaking may destabilize the attitudes of citizens towards minorities. Finally, we scrutinize how the process may alter the composition and dynamics of interest groups and parties in the states that permit the initiative. We conclude that irrespective of the policy outcomes stemming from successful ballot initiatives, the initiative process has both positive and negative effects on the behavior and attitudes of individuals and political organizations. By highlighting the attendant effects of citizen lawmaking, we are able to reassess the crucial question of whether the initiative threatens to undermine or paradoxically strengthen representative democracy.

My current research also focuses on the role of special interests and poltical parties in direct democracy campaigns and elections. This builds on my past research on tax limitation ballot initiatives in the American states, and the process of direct democracy more broadly. My book, 'Tax Crusaders and the Politics of Direct Democracy'(Routledge, 1998) uses comparative case studies of anti-tax measures to bring into question the populist nature of these ballot initiatives. I use a variety of research techniques, including historical and qualitative approaches and quantitative methods.

I also have a personal interest in Ghana, West Africa. Since 1996, I have run a study abroad program in Ghana, West Africa. The theme of the summer program is history, politics, and economic development. I was a Senior Fulbright Scholar at the University of Ghana, Legon during the 2000-01 academic year and served as a Research Associate at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development.

Board Member, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation (BISCF), Nonprofit 501 (c)(3), Washington, DC, 2000-
Expert Witness, Campaign Finance Reform, Colorado & California
Expert Witness, Ballot Initiative Reform, Colorado & Florida
Research Associate, Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Accra, Ghana, 2000-01
Consultant, Coalition of Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO), 2000-01
Consultant, International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), 1999-
Consultant, International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), Washington, DC, 1995-97