American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What is a resident-led initiative that aims to create local policy changes through direct voter engagement called?

1. Referendum

2. Civic Engagement

3. Community Advocacy

4. Local Ballot Measure

The correct answer is: Referendum

The correct answer describes a process where residents advocate for specific policy changes by directly influencing the decision-making of local government through voting. This term is specifically associated with initiatives that appear on a ballot, allowing residents to express their preferences or decisions on particular issues, which is fundamental to participatory democracy. A referendum allows the electorate to vote on a particular proposal, allowing for significant policy shifts based on the collective will of the voters. This mechanism serves as a powerful tool for residents to engage with local issues and enact change without solely relying on representatives or existing political structures. Civic engagement broadly encompasses various efforts by individuals and groups to participate in political and community matters and does not focus exclusively on direct voter initiatives. Community advocacy involves efforts aimed at influencing decision-makers or mobilizing citizens around specific issues but may not always result in direct voting opportunities. A local ballot measure, while closely related, often refers specifically to the actual item or proposal that is on the ballot, whereas the correct choice encompasses the entire process of initiating and voting on such measures. In the context of resident-led initiatives aimed at effecting local policy through voter engagement, the term that encapsulates this direct involvement and the power of citizen action is aptly described as a referendum.