Referendums are as direct as democracy gets

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Much of Tuesday's election will be about picking leaders. That's called representative democracy. Voters elect candidates to represent them in various levels of government. These representatives - president, senators, representatives - make decisions on behalf of the people. That's not the only form of democracy being exercised. Referendums on Tuesday's ballot are a form of direct democracy, also called pure democracy. That's where people make decisions themselves on issues of public interest. These referendums can be binding or advisory. The largest binding referendum is whether Illinois should revise its 38-year-old constitution. If voters say yes, a constitutional convention will be called. The 1970 constitution will be scrutinized by 118 elected delegates who may suggest no changes, minor tune-ups or a wholesale revamp. Any revisions they propose must be approved by the same voters who called the convention in the first place. If voters say no, the constitution is unlikely to see any changes for another two decades. Once voters fill in the ovals on the constitutional question, they can remove their civics hats. Some, however, will be trading them for historic preservation top hats, education mortarboards, or firefighters' helmets. In an advisory referendum, voters in Ogle County will express their sentiment on whether the county's historic 1891 courtroom should be restored to its original condition by removing a false ceiling that serves as the floor for other offices. Whiteside County voters will decide whether to approve a 1-cent dedicated sales tax for school repairs and maintenance. Voters in the Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico school district will decide on a $5.5 million bond issue for school upgrades. Amboy area voters will decide whether to award more money to their fire protection district for equipment upgrades, while Walnut area voters will decide whether the fire department should become a fire protection district. Other referendums concern themselves with creating a park district in Erie, directing the Legislature to allow citizens to carry concealed firearms, and helping the Harmon Township road district pay for operational costs. Coloma Township voters are being asked their opinion on prohibiting the payment of state funds to private military corporations for the training of police and security guards. Some people aren't fans of direct democracy. When told a tavern was closed Sunday because of a local referendum, a thirsty W.C. Fields once harrumphed, "That's carrying democracy too far." Mr. Fields' opinion notwithstanding, we hope voters study these issues carefully, make informed decisions, and demonstrate the wisdom of all forms of democracy - including referendums.