Which reform empowered voters to propose new laws at the state level?

• A. Recall
• B. Referendum
• C. Initiative
• D. Direct primary

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is the initiative, a direct-democracy reform that let voters push for new laws at the state level. With the initiative, citizens collect enough signatures to place a proposed measure on the ballot. If a majority of voters approves, the proposed law becomes binding, bypassing the legislature.

This reform emerged from Progressive Era efforts to curb political machines and give ordinary people more control over public policy. It worked in tandem with the referendum, which allows voters to approve or reject laws already passed by the legislature, but it’s the initiative that enables voters to originate the law itself. By contrast, recall focuses on removing an elected official from office, and direct primary concerns how party nominees are chosen, not laws.

So, the reform that empowered voters to propose new laws at the state level is the initiative.