Elections offer citizens the opportunity to vote directly on proposed changes in the law. Typically, such changes go through state legislatures. There can also be proposals at regional, county, municipal and school district levels.
So, how do proposals make it onto the ballot in the first place. In this MI First Election graphic, Michigan State University student Alexea Hankin shows us.
Here are the graphics in this election 2016 series:
How U.S. Supreme Court Justices are appointed
Understanding who can and cannot vote
Understanding red states, blue states and purple states
Understanding how much it costs to win an election