BISC’s 2024 Insights + Impacts Report is Here – See What You Helped Build

04/16/2025

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INTRO

Welcome to BISC’s 2024 Ballot Measure Report! In this report, you will find key takeaways, lessons learned, and insights from 2024 ballot measures that we hope can provide a roadmap to our path forward. The reality is direct democracy will be vital in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

So check out some of the key highlights from our 2024 Impact Report below, and head to our website to read the full report.

THE 2024 BALLOT MEASURE LANDSCAPE: A DEFINING MOMENT

On November 5, 2024, voters across 41 states and Washington, D.C. decided the fate of 147 statewide ballot measures out of 160 total for the year, shaping the future on critical issues. The breakdown:

  • 85 legislatively-referred measures
  • 58 citizen-initiated measures
  • 13 bond issues
  • 3 advisory questions
  • 1 constitutional convention question

BISC strategically invested time and resources in 80 key measures aligned with our core priorities: economic justice, democracy, defending direct democracy, civil rights, educational equity, and bodily autonomy. The result? A 66% success rate in the campaigns where we focused our time, talent, and treasure — driving real change for communities nationwide.

KEY TRENDS FROM THE 2024 ELECTION

  • Ballot Measures Reflect the Will of the People: Despite federal-level challenges post-election, voters overwhelmingly supported measures defending rights and direct democracy, below are examples where the will of the people prevailed this election cycle.

  • Abortion Rights + Bodily Autonomy: With a record eleven abortion-related measures on the ballot, voters passed seven expanding or protecting reproductive rights. States where protecting reproductive freedom did not prevail faced hostile government interference and misinformation like Florida, where 57% voters supported enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution but did not meet the state’s 60% threshold or Nebraska, where advocates were forced to run two separate campaigns: one for their proactive abortion rights initiative as well as a defensive No campaign against a deceptive anti-abortion countermeasure. BISC’s research confirmed support for bodily autonomy remains strong with 55% of voters strongly supporting legal abortion and 53% of voters opposing government intervention in gender-affirming care.

  • Marriage Equality Prevails: Marriage equality also held firm, with over 69% favoring the right to marry demonstrated by election results upholding that right in California, Colorado, and Hawaiʻi.

  • Economic and Worker Rights Concerns Drive Voter Decisions: Economic security declined, with only one-third of voters reporting feeling financially stable. Affordable housing, healthcare costs, and stagnant wages topped voter concerns. Reflecting this, voters rejected an Arizona measure which would have allowed businesses to pay tipped workers 25% less than the minimum wage, while minimum wage increases passed in Alaska, and Missouri, along with paid sick leave measures in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska. And in Massachusetts a measure allowing transportation workers to unionize and collectively bargain prevailed.

  • Defending Direct Democracy: Voters rejected efforts to weaken ballot initiative rights in Arizona and North Dakota, reaffirming the power of direct democracy.

  • Public Education Funding Protected: In Nebraska, Colorado, and Kentucky, they also blocked measures diverting public school funds to private or charter schools.

How were these wins possible?

The bottom line is that early funding, strategic partnerships, community-driven organizing, and data-backed messaging were key to 2024’s ballot measure victories. These lessons will shape future campaigns and advance democracy through direct voter action.

2025-2026 BALLOT MEASURE OUTLOOK:

The Road Ahead

Ballot measures remain a powerful tool for advancing rights, but the fight is far from over. With implementation roadblocks, direct democracy under attack, and rising opposition tactics, BISC is committed to defending and expanding the ballot measure process.

Challenges Ahead

  • Implementation Battles – Lawmakers continue to undermine passed measures, breaking promises to uphold voter-approved policies.
  • Attacks on Direct Democracy – New laws seek to raise signature requirements, manipulate ballot language, and increase vote thresholds, making it harder for people-powered initiatives to succeed.
  • Emerging Threats – Ballot measures pushing voter ID laws and anti-trans policies signal ongoing battles ahead.

Signs of Hope

  • Growing Demand for Direct Democracy: As of late March, 14 states are considering bills to introduce ballot initiatives.
  • Progressive Policies on the Horizon: Upcoming ballot measures will raise the minimum wage, protect equal rights, and defend marriage equality.

BISC’s Commitment

  • Expanding Research: New issue-focused research will help partners combat anti-democratic threats.
  • Strengthening Training & Strategy: With three training sessions set for 2025-2026, BISC will equip partners with the tools for long-term success.
  • Mobilizing Resources: We build stronger relationships with funders to ensure sustained support.
  • Amplifying the Message: In an era of misinformation, BISC will work with reporters and partners to keep voters informed and engaged.

Overall, our 2024 Impact Report reinforces one important truth:

The fight for direct democracy is intensifying: and BISC is ready and uniquely positioned to take on the challenge.

You can read our full 2024 Ballot Measure Impact Report here.