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The only weekly wrap-up of ballot measure news in the progressive community.
We strengthen
democracy by
Challenging structural racism, Centering impacted communities, Building state-based power, Winning progressive ballot measures nationwide
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Track the Ballot Measure Landscape
We are the progressive movement’s central repository for understanding how direct democracy is being used across the country.
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We work directly with campaigns on the ground to give them the tools they need to succeed
learn moreProtect the Ballot Initiative Process
We fight the attacks meant to undermine direct democracy in the states
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We help the field build the skills necessary to win successful campaigns.
learn moreDesign and Provide Groundbreaking Research
We provide the intelligence and metrics that partners need to make informed decisions.
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learn moreDirect Democracy Across the Country
Initiated Statutes and Amendments
Initiated Statutes Only
Initiated Amendments Only
News
10/14/2021
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
“It’s really about giving people … the agency to determine what they want to see happen for their community.” — Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of @BallotStrategy, discussing the power of the right to petition. Watch here: https://bit.ly/3xJFEk8
South Dakotans understood the subject on the ballot.
They supported it.
That’s why they voted yes.
The court's decision isn’t about 'protecting voters,' as some proponents claim. It’s about making it harder for our voices to be heard.
Recreational marijuana use will remain illegal in South Dakota after the state's high court ruled against a voter-approved ballot measure. https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2021/11/24/south-dakota-supreme-court-recreational-cannabis-amendment-legal-medical-marijuana/7612329002/
Yesterday, it was hard to listen and read about the SCOTUS arguments in the MS abortion case. If folx need a bright light, Vermont is shaping up to go proactive on protecting abortion access in its state constitution. https://twitter.com/BallotStrategy/status/1466470994353299458
Through the power of the ballot, Vermont could become the 1st state in the country to explicitly protect #abortion access in its constitution.
"If voters decide to amend the constitution to guarantee this right we’ve had for already 50 years - it would be hard to reverse that.” https://twitter.com/wcax/status/1466210566561832976
Through the power of the ballot, Vermont could become the 1st state in the country to explicitly protect #abortion access in its constitution.
"If voters decide to amend the constitution to guarantee this right we’ve had for already 50 years - it would be hard to reverse that.”
As SCOTUS debates Miss. abortion law, #Vt to move ahead with constitutional amendment
https://www.wcax.com/2021/12/01/scotus-debates-miss-abortion-law-vt-move-ahead-with-constitutional-amendment/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wcax
"Ballot measures strengthen democracy and center marginalized communities, often elevating issues that never see the light of day in the legislative process."
#DefendDirectDemocracy
In May 2021, the Mississippi Supreme Court blocked the ballot-initiative process. Arekia Bennett of Mississippi Voices writes as to how this ruling will negate the will of the people in Mississippi. #MFPVoices
https://www.mississippifreepress.org/18487/mississippi-votes-fights-to-revive-the-ballot-initiative-process/
Abortions are essential.
They are necessary.
They are critical.
They are important.
Mad love to the reproductive justice warriors at #SCOTUS today fighting to make sure abortions remain protected.
#AbortionIsEssential #BansOffOurBodies
We are disappointed to see the will of the people being undermined due to arbitrary restrictions on the #BallotInitiative process.
South Dakotans deserve a voice in the laws that govern them. We will not rest until politicians & special interests respect the people’s power.
South Dakota's Supreme Court has upheld a ruling striking down a voter-passed amendment that would have legalized recreational marijuana. Republican Gov. Kristi Noem instigated the legal fight to nullify the measure, which was blocked on technical grounds. http://apne.ws/G5RQZ1y
As we observe Native American Heritage Month and honor all the contributions and impact that #Indigenous communities have made, we want to shine a light on several of our partners who work within and are led by Indigenous communities.
A #GivingTuesday thread:
As we begin to re-emerge and gather, I’ve been reflecting a lot on what it means to be in space with Folx again and what needs to shed and what can be created. Check out my rumblings. https://twitter.com/BallotStrategy/status/1463534490056380424
🗣️ New statement from BISC's Executive Director @Fieldsy:
"Gathering and grace have been on my mind a lot this year. Many of us are beginning to gather again after more than a year of separation from friends, family, and beloved communities..."
🗣️ GOOD NEWS:
State canvassers in #Michigan approved a ballot drive to award Michigan’s electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote.
Michigan is the first state where @NatlPopularVote will seek to qualify an initiative for the 2022 statewide ballot!
A petition drive designed to give Michigan’s electoral college votes to the winner of the national popular vote in a presidential election is on course to start signature collection in the coming weeks. https://www.wkar.org/wkar-news/2021-11-16/national-popular-vote-petition-set-to-begin-signature-gathering
BISC’s Executive Director @Fieldsy was quoted in a @Sludge piece by @donnydonny detailing the recent FEC ruling that may allow foreign entities to donate to ballot measure campaigns.
Check out the full story: https://readsludge.com/2021/11/18/bipartisan-bill-would-ban-ballot-issue-campaign-from-taking-money-from-foreign-donors/
GOOD NEWS:
Arizonans are one step closer to voting on whether to repeal $1.9 billion of tax cuts that benefit the state's wealthiest residents.
Prop 307 is likely to appear on the November ballot in #Arizona. If passed, it would protect funding for education & other programs.
The finding of valid petitions puts Arizonans one step closer to being able to vote on whether to repeal $1.9 billion of tax cuts mainly benefitting the wealthiest. However, a judge is weighing a lawsuit that could prevent that vote. https://tucson.com/news/local/official-petitions-have-enough-valid-signatures-to-let-voters-decide-arizona-tax-cut-plan/article_7cec338c-4990-11ec-9a34-8fd0f67b9663.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_TucsonStar
Our latest BISCuit. It’s been amazing to watch this team grow - we have 17 team members, more than double since 2018!!!
So glad to have Gina on the team! https://twitter.com/BallotStrategy/status/1462831509556113411
Welcome to the BISC Team, Gina Moore!!
We are so excited to welcome Gina, our newest BISCuit and the Senior Manager for BISC’s #DefendDirectDemocracy Campaign.
Learn more about Gina through the link in our bio! 🥳