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The only weekly wrap-up of ballot measure news in the progressive community.
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Challenging structural racism, Centering impacted communities, Building state-based power, Winning progressive ballot measures nationwide
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Initiated Statutes and Amendments
Initiated Statutes Only
Initiated Amendments Only
News
10/13/2022
BISC to Host Pre-Election Press Briefing on Ballot Measures on October 20, 2022
read more09/21/2022
Ballot Initiatives in Five States Would Abolish Slavery from State Constitutions
read more06/24/2022
With Roe Overturned, Ballot Initiatives Provide a Path Towards Reproductive Freedom
read more05/10/2022
California, Maine, New York, and Colorado Join the List of States Working to Protect Abortion Access Through Ballot Measures
read more05/03/2022
With SCOTUS Poised to Overturn Roe, Ballot Initiatives Offer Path to Protect Abortion Access
read more04/26/2022
BISC’S ROAD AHEAD ‘22 CONFERENCE ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE “PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER JUST SURVIVING, THEY ARE THRIVING”
read more04/08/2022
Joint Statement on the Failed Restoration of Mississippi’s Ballot Initiative Process
read more04/05/2022
ICYMI: Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Executive Director Chris Melody Fields Figueredo’s Democracy Docket Op-Ed on the Importance of Ballot Measures
read more10/14/2021
The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Launches Multi-Year National Defend Direct Democracy Campaign to Protect Ballot Measures Across the Country
read more06/28/2021
BISC’s Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Speaks on Her 3 Year BISCiversary
read more04/20/2021
BISC Releases Statement on the Verdict in Derek Chauvin’s Trial for the Murder of George Floyd
read more01/13/2021
White Supremacy is America’s Greatest Threat: A Letter from BISC’s Executive Director
read more11/23/2020
BISC + Partners Release Executive Directors of Color Video: Relationships and Resilience Collective
read more09/19/2020
THE BALLOT INITIATIVE STRATEGY CENTER MOURNS THE LOSS OF JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
read more08/18/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement recognizing the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment
read more08/05/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement as Missouri becomes the 6th state expand Medicaid through ballot measures
read more07/17/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement following the Supreme Court’s decision to block hundreds of thousands of Floridians from voting this year
read more07/01/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement following Oklahoma’s successful passage of Medicaid Expansion
read more06/19/2020
BISC releases statement on the importance of recognizing Juneteenth and Defending Black Lives
read more06/03/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement recognizing Pride Month and the ongoing fight for equity and justice for all Americans
read more06/01/2020
BISC releases statement about the ongoing, state-sanctioned violence against the Black community
read more05/20/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Releases Statement on Successful Portland Initiative to Fight Homelessness
read more06/18/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement on SCOTUS’ DACA decision and rejection of the Trump administration’s racist agenda
read more
Even when voters overwhelmingly approve a ballot measure, that doesn’t mean the fight is over.
Advocates for progressive initiatives say now plan for beyond Election Day & prepare to defend voter-approved measures.
w/ @McKenzieBBeard https://wapo.st/3UMOyr7
Every day, but especially today, on #InternationalDayOfDisabledPersons, we call for continued compassion, understanding, and acceptance for people with disabilities who are our friends, loved ones, and community members. #CSWSConsulting
🚨 HJR 6 would require ballot measures to get 60% of the vote to pass, instead of the current simple majority.
Voters are fighting back by making it clear that any attempt to undermine the #WillOfThePeople will be unpopular, expensive, and unsuccessful.
#DefendDirectDemocracy https://t.co/tbM4F7xZIQ
🚨HJR 6 is scheduled for sponsor testimony *tomorrow morning* in the House Government Oversight Committee.
This effort is an all out attack on our democracy and impacts EVERY issue Ohioans care about.
Together we can defeat this partisan power-grab.
https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2022/11/30/more-than-140-groups-oppose-effort-to-limit-citizen-changes-to-ohio-constitution/
🔵 Protecting Reproductive Freedom
🔵 Abolishing Slavery
🔵 Legalizing Marijuana
🔵 Passing Gun Safety Laws
🔵 Expanding Medicaid
Using the power of #DirectDemocracy, voters passed these progressive victories + much more this election!
Check out our video for the full list⬇️🗳️
📢 In need of some GREAT news?
BISC just released our People Powered Freedom video highlighting some of the most impactful victories from this election: from reproductive freedom, to abolishing slavery, to gun safety reform + much more.
Check it out!💥 https://youtu.be/O9wTZug22Uk
NEW LETTER FROM CHRIS:
In her letter, "I Am Filled With Gratitude," BISC's Executive Director @Fiedsy expresses her thanks for our people and outlines many of the impactful wins we delivered for our communities this year. 💛
Read Chris' full letter now: https://ballot.org/news/i-am-filled-with-gratitute/
Check out this @nytimes story discussing the large role abortion rights played in the midterms, featuring commentary from our friend @Fieldsy with @BallotStrategy https://twitter.com/BallotStrategy/status/1594733444814327809
GREAT READS ‼️
BISC on the front page of the @nytimes this weekend:
As BISC's Executive Director @Fieldsy explained, the 2022 #ReproductiveFreedom measures on statewide ballots “were higher vote-getters than many of the candidates and they transcended party lines."
📢 In need of some GREAT news?
BISC just released our People Powered Freedom video highlighting some of the most impactful victories from this election: from reproductive freedom, to abolishing slavery, to gun safety reform + much more.
Check it out!💥 https://youtu.be/O9wTZug22Uk
The defeat of #LR131 in MT "should be a lesson to anyone who writes off some states as not worth fighting for—or deems some issues too tough or complex and thus, unwinnable.
We can push back on anti-abortion deception.
And we can rely on people to see the truth."
Voters Understand the Truth About Pregnancy Decisions. What Happened in Montana Proves It
https://ti.me/3GkmqI9
This election, Montanans defeated #LR131, an anti-reproductive health measure that aimed to stigmatize abortion and criminalize doctors.
"The victory is a reminder that standing up for families—for personal decision-making & against political overreach—has bipartisan support."
Voters Understand the Truth About Pregnancy Decisions. What Happened in Montana Proves It
https://ti.me/3GkmqI9
#TransgenderDayofRemembrance honors the memory of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming people whose lives were lost in acts of discriminatory violence. Join us in remembering these loving partners, family, & friends, who were taken too soon. #TDOR #TDOR2022 #Trans