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The only weekly wrap-up of ballot measure news in the progressive community.
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Initiated Statutes and Amendments
Initiated Statutes Only
Initiated Amendments Only
News
09/21/2022
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
You can make a difference in the fight to give women - not politicians - the freedom to decide about reproductive rights. Volunteer with us in Oak Park this Friday and spread the word about how #YesOn3 will help us #RestoreRoe. Sign up at https://www.mobilize.us/mireprofreedom/event/515745/
Wonderful seeing many friends last night (meeting fellow board members too!) & celebrating an amazing organization @rocunited.
As I said while emceeing, ROC was formed out of pain & trauma to build resilience, brilliance & power for restaurant workers. To another 20 years!
So incredibly proud of the work @BallotStrategy is doing to support these campaigns led by @canthisbluv
PS When I raise this as an important issue & the 1st ? is why does this matter, slavery ended 🤦🏽♀️ Then I have to explain the racism perpetuated by the “exceptions” clause. https://twitter.com/ballotstrategy/status/1575844351825121280
THREAD:
When the #13thAmendment was ratified in 1865, it abolished slavery *but* it created an “exception loophole,” known as involuntary servitude or forced labor which was still permitted as a punishment for a crime.
This “loophole” laid the groundwork for the Jim Crow laws.
Wisconsin doesn't currently have a #BallotInitiative process, but that might change..
The state's Governor said that if "Republican legislators aren't going to uphold the #WillOfThePeople, then the people of the state should have the right to take a stand at the ballot box."
This is not the first time @GovEvers has called on the GOP-controlled Legislature to repeal the state's abortion ban. But the governor's latest proposal would be more expansive, giving the public the power to pass state laws on any number of issues. https://www.wpr.org/evers-calls-constitutional-amendment-repeal-wisconsins-abortion-ban
We need more movement minded consultants like @BeccaGuerra! She’s grounded in community, believes in people powered democracy, shares her knowledge & also happens to be a poderosa from Venezuela too! 🇻🇪 #LatinxHeritageMonth https://twitter.com/ballotstrategy/status/1575508459075796995
Today's #LatinxHeritageMonth spotlight goes out to
@BeccaGuerra! 🤩
In our Q&A with Becca, she talked about how Latinx people have always been at the forefront of democracy & how the values she derived from her Latinx culture inspired her passion for democracy. Check it out! ⬇️
“When our government isn’t responsive to the people, ballot initiatives are one of the tools that can rein in the power of self-interested politicians and give it back to the voters – where it belongs.” 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
#DefendDirectDemocracy
There’s more at stake on Election Day than federal, state and local races. Voters in 37 states will decide the fate of 132 ballot initiatives, including a handful that could change how the democratic process works in nearly a dozen states.
https://thefulcrum.us/ballot-initiative-2022
Proud to work with @BallotStrategy in the fight to protect and expand democracy! https://twitter.com/BallotStrategy/status/1575508459075796995
Today's #LatinxHeritageMonth spotlight goes out to
@BeccaGuerra! 🤩
In our Q&A with Becca, she talked about how Latinx people have always been at the forefront of democracy & how the values she derived from her Latinx culture inspired her passion for democracy. Check it out! ⬇️
Today's #LatinxHeritageMonth spotlight goes out to
@BeccaGuerra! 🤩
In our Q&A with Becca, she talked about how Latinx people have always been at the forefront of democracy & how the values she derived from her Latinx culture inspired her passion for democracy. Check it out! ⬇️
Calling all Arizonans! Vote NO on Proposition 128, NOPE on proposition 129, and HELL NO on proposition 132. Don’t let extremist politicians get away with attempts to steal our democracy. Democracy belongs to the people!
#InternationalSafeAbortionDay reminds us that people across the world share our demands for autonomy and privacy in every healthcare decision, including abortion care. Today, let’s do our part and continue the fight here in Michigan. #YesOn3 #RestoreRoe
We must protect our right to direct democracy! Attacks on ballot initiatives are part of a troubling wider trend that seeks to undermine our democratic, citizen-led initiatives. They see our power at the ballot and are doubling down on silencing the will of the people. #arpx https://twitter.com/ArkansasBlog/status/1534557096578105345
Can Arkansas match South Dakota in protecting the people’s access to ballot? https://arktimes.com/arkansas-blog/2022/06/08/can-arkansas-match-south-dakota-in-protecting-the-peoples-access-to-ballot via @arktimes
“This is the only tool we have in a state like Arkansas. That’s why we must fight to protect our access to the ballot.” — Panel Policy Director @kymseals via @politico: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/09/10/the-lefts-best-chance-for-restoring-abortion-rights-in-red-states-is-in-jeopardy-00055901 #arpx #arleg
Literally hundreds of you were out in force this weekend talking to voters for #YesOn1.
All of you *are* the movement for a fairer tax system + a state where the ultra-rich pay their fair share.
If you've been waiting, now is the time—join this movement: http://fairsharema.com/join-us
#MIProp2 is about security and accessibility for ALL eligible Michigan voters. Another reason to vote YES in November!
"With public support for marijuana policy reform reaching super-majority status in recent years, political opponents are relying on gamesmanship to prevent voters from weighing in on the issue.”
Despite some lawmakers' best efforts, legalization is on the ballot in Arkansas! 🥳
Our opponents are getting increasingly desperate; their only strategy is to try to keep the issue from voters and use stall tactics. But all they can do is delay the inevitable.
https://norml.org/blog/2022/09/22/oklahoma-supreme-court-justices-rule-that-voters-cant-decide-on-legalization-ballot-measure-this-year/
Arkansas Supreme Court Says Votes Will Be Counted For Marijuana Initiative On November Ballot: "The people will decide whether to approve the proposed amendment in November." https://www.marijuanamoment.net/arkansas-supreme-court-says-votes-will-be-counted-for-marijuana-initiative-on-november-ballot/