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Ballot measures face tougher road to qualification under Idaho resolution
Kiowa County Press 02/27/2023
Read MoreAt least three red states could make it harder for voters to keep abortion legal
The Washington Post 02/03/2023
Read MoreFuture of Mississippi ballot initiative in hands of Senate Chairman Polk
Mississippi Today 01/27/2023
Read MoreGOP Targeting Direct Democracy After 2022 Progressive Ballot Measure Successes
Daily Kos 01/20/2023
Read MoreLawmakers Look To Restrict Ballot Initiative Process in Florida, Missouri and Ohio
Democracy Docket 01/13/2023
Read MoreMissouri Republicans Aim To Curtail Voters’ Ability To Amend the State Constitution
Democracy Docket 01/10/2023
Read MoreAfter string of abortion-rights wins, conservatives look to curtail the ballot measure process
NBC News 12/26/2022
Read MoreAbortion rights groups look to build on their victories with new ballot measures
NBC News 12/23/2022
Read MoreBallot measures on weed and abortion won in 2022. Now lawmakers are cracking down
NPR 12/15/2022
Read MoreThe fight isn’t necessarily over even when voters approve a ballot measure
The Washington Post 12/05/2022
Read MoreMore than 140 groups oppose effort to limit citizen changes to Ohio Constitution
Ohio Capital Journal 11/30/2022
Read MoreA rare loss for voter ID cements ugly 2022 for election deniers
The Washington Post 11/18/2022
Read MoreGet Ready for More Ballot Initiatives to Restore Abortion Rights in Red States
The Nation 11/17/2022
Read MoreThe Left Won Big on Ballot Initiatives. That’s Why They’re Under Attack.
Jacobin 11/17/2022
Read MoreSupport for abortion measures was greater than support for Democratic candidates in some states
The 19th 11/15/2022
Read MoreThis Year, Voters Made an End Run Around Out-of-Touch Politicians
Colorado Times Recorder 11/11/2022
Read MoreAbortion Rights Wins in Michigan, Kentucky Give Fuel for Future Ballot Measures
Reuters 11/10/2022
Read MoreAbortion rights take center stage in race between two women vying for Michigan governor
Los Angeles Times 11/07/2022
Read MoreVoters to Decide on Abortion, Marijuana & Prison Labor in 2022 Midterm Ballot Initiatives
Democracy Now! 11/07/2022
Read MoreThe next chapter of America’s post-Roe, pro-weed, tax-the-rich movement is coming
Politico 10/26/2022
Read MoreMichigan Is Fighting One of the Most Significant Abortion Battles in the Country
TIME 10/24/2022
Read MoreIn Many Red States, Cannabis Initiatives Face Rising Legal Hurdles
Cannabis Wire 10/13/2022
Read MoreMore abortion votes across US – can Kansas inspire another pro-choice win?
The Guardian 10/07/2022
Read MoreWhy Republican Voters Support Ballot Initiatives Their Red States Do Not
FiveThirtyEight 08/30/2022
Read MoreHow they won: Kansas organizers unpack their big win for abortion rights
The Guardian 08/12/2022
Read MoreThe Surprising Power Of Ballot Initiatives : This Is What’s Possible When The People Decide
Medium 08/11/2022
Read MoreBallot Measures May Be The Key To Securing Abortion Rights In Your State
Elite Daily 07/15/2022
Read MoreHow South Dakota Voters Won a Power Struggle With G.O.P. Legislators
The New York Times 06/09/2022
Read MoreThis is how far Republicans will go to subvert the will of the voters
The Washington Post 06/02/2022
Read More“A Systematic Assault”: GOP Rushes to Change Election Rules to Block Medicaid in South Dakota
BOLTS Magazine 05/30/2022
Read MorePro-choice forces are working to keep abortion legal in Michigan with a ballot initiative
The Guardian 05/28/2022
Read More‘Ultimate control’: In Kansas and Missouri, fights rage over the rules of political power
Kansas City Star 03/28/2022
Read MoreMississippi’s Ballot Initiative Process is Broken. But It Needs to Be Restored Correctly.
Democracy Docket 03/04/2022
Read MoreNo action yet on Mississippi ballot initiative fix, but that’s about to change
Mississippi Today 01/30/2022
Read MoreImpeding Citizen-Driven Initiatives Is Latest Election Law Fight
Bloomberg Government 01/24/2022
Read MoreBipartisan Bill Would Ban Ballot Issue Campaigns From Taking Money From Foreign Donors
Sludge 11/18/2021
Read MoreBallot initiatives to increase housing won big on Tuesday, a possible harbinger for 2022
The New York Times 11/03/2021
Read MoreHousing, minimum wage, police reform: Ballot measures that voters are deciding in elections across U.S.
Yahoo Finance 11/02/2021
Read MoreDesperate for Housing Options, Communities Turn to Ballot Initiatives
The New York Times 11/01/2021
Read MoreTight U.S. Labor Market Makes $15 an Hour De Facto Minimum Wage
Bloomberg Businessweek 09/16/2021
Read MoreBallot initiatives give voters a voice: Are states listening?
Christian Science Monitor 06/08/2021
Read MoreLawmakers can set special election for ballot initiative fix at any date
Mississippi Today 05/26/2021
Read MoreRepublicans target democracy from multiple directions, all at once
MSNBC Maddow Blog 05/24/2021
Read MoreRepublicans Move to Limit a Grass-Roots Tradition of Direct Democracy
The New York Times 05/22/2021
Read More“Crackdown on democracy”: Republican lawmakers across the country are trying to overrule voters
Salon 05/07/2021
Read MoreTop Democrats Introduce Bill To Raise Minimum Wage To $15 By 2025 – Then Keep Raising It
Forbes 01/29/2021
Read MoreRoadmap to Compliance: Major Employment Laws Effective as of January 2021 and Beyond
Lexology 01/29/2021
Read MoreIowa House passes constitutional amendment about abortion rights
KCCI Des Moines 01/27/2021
Read MoreColorado 2020 Voters Funded Paid Leave And Preschool. They Also Cut Their Taxes. What Gives?
Colorado Public Radio 11/09/2020
Read MoreThe $15 Minimum Wage Wasn’t the Only Progressive Ballot Measure That Passed in Conservative States
Mother Jones 11/09/2020
Read MoreVoters pass dozens of environmental ballot measures across the country
ABC News 11/08/2020
Read MoreBlack Georgian youth make big election difference; voters OK police reforms
Daily Kos 11/07/2020
Read MoreGood News: The 2020 Election Saw Some Major Wins For Criminal Justice & Policing
Refinery 29 11/06/2020
Read MoreBLM Activists Demanded Police Accountability. In City After City, Voters Agreed.
Mother Jones 11/06/2020
Read MoreThe results of our national election may tell a story of division. Ballot measures tell a different tale.
Washington Post 11/05/2020
Read MoreVirginia voters pass constitutional amendment to create bipartisan redistricting commission
JURIST 11/05/2020
Read MoreThese are the notable ballot measures that voters approved or rejected
ABC News 11/04/2020
Read MoreAbortion ballot measure results show starkly divided opinion on reproductive issues
CBS News 11/04/2020
Read MoreRideshare, Flat Tax Measures Spur Billion-Dollar Ballot Spending
Bloomberg Government 11/03/2020
Read More2020 ballot questions: What states are voting on besides the US presidential election
CNN 10/18/2020
Read MoreOn Your Ballot: Should Colorado Create An Expansive Paid Family Leave Program?
KUNC 10/15/2020
Read MoreRacial Justice Movement Themes Are on Ballot Measures in 5 States
Spectrum News 10/14/2020
Read MoreLGBT anti-discrimination campaign turns in nearly 500,000 signatures for 2022 ballot proposal
M Live 10/14/2020
Read MoreVoters can abolish constitutional language allowing slavery in Utah if amendment passes
2KUTV 10/13/2020
Read More‘Let My People Vote’ Tells Of One Man’s Journey To Getting 1.4 Million Back A Voice
NPR 10/07/2020
Read MoreSample ballot: Here’s everything Mississippians will vote for in November
ABC 11 10/05/2020
Read MoreGroup forms to oppose proposed Arkansas initiative limits
San Francisco Chronicle 10/01/2020
Read MoreWhat is Prop 21? Initiative would allow cities to enact more rent control
ABC 7 09/30/2020
Read MoreAfter Years Of Statehouse Debate, Colorado Voters Face Historic Decision On Paid Family Leave
Colorado Public Radio 09/28/2020
Read MoreProposition 115 explained: Colorado’s broad access to abortion would be scaled back under ballot measure
The Colorado Sun 09/25/2020
Read MoreReport: ‘Clean Missouri’ repeal could dilute minority representation in state Capitol
St. Louis Post Dispatch 09/23/2020
Read MoreProposed amendments to Alabama’s constitution will be on November 3 ballot
WAFF 09/17/2020
Read MoreAs a Floridian, preserve your right to do what politicians won’t : Vote No on Amendment 4
Miami Herald 09/17/2020
Read MoreOn Maryland ballots this fall: Should sports gambling be legal?
Washington Post 09/15/2020
Read MoreVirginia ballot will include 2 proposed constitutional amendments
The Winchester Star 09/15/2020
Read MoreBoth medical and adult-use cannabis legalization on South Dakota ballot for November
Marijuana Business Daily 09/14/2020
Read MoreMass. Ballot Question 2, Explained: What You Need To Know About Ranked-Choice Voting
WBUR News 09/14/2020
Read MoreND voters to decide measures on higher ed, constitutional initiatives
Minot Daily News 09/11/2020
Read MoreFight continues on challenge of term limits and petition-restriction amendments
Arkansas Times 09/10/2020
Read MoreEight states have programs that give workers paid time off. Does that help or hurt Colorado’s chances?
Colorado Sun 09/09/2020
Read MoreLouisiana voters to decide on ‘No Right to Abortion’ constitutional amendment in November
ArkLaTex 09/09/2020
Read MoreAfter two court losses, state doesn’t ask high court to weigh in on ‘Clean Missouri’ question
STL Today 09/02/2020
Read MoreUtah’s ballot is finalized with seven constitutional amendments for you to vote on
FOX Salt Lake City 09/02/2020
Read MoreHere Are The 11 Ballot Measures Colorado Will Vote On This Year, From Taxes To Raffles
CPR 08/31/2020
Read MoreMarijuana legalization to be placed on the general election ballot in November
KOLD News 13 08/10/2020
Read MoreArizona ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana, change sentencing laws survive challenges
AZ Central 08/08/2020
Read MoreMissouri approves Medicaid expansion ballot initiative, extending coverage to 200,000 people
Vox 08/05/2020
Read MoreArkansas Voters First submits signatures for constitutional amendment on November ballot
NBC 08/05/2020
Read MoreInvest In Ed files appeal after Superior Court knocks education funding measure off ballot
AZ Central 08/05/2020
Read MoreSignatures submitted for five more Colorado initiatives by August 3 deadline
Ballotpedia 08/05/2020
Read MoreMissouri Expands Medicaid, Using Progressives’ New Tactic: Ballot Initiatives
The New York Times 08/04/2020
Read MoreCounty Approves Reimagine L.A., Funding Shift Measure Will Be on November Ballot
Streets Blog LA 08/04/2020
Read MoreColorado voters may face as many as 11 major questions on November ballot as initiative deadline arrives
The Colorado Sun 08/03/2020
Read MoreOklahoma voters to decide initiative to prevent sentencing enhancements due to previous non-violent felonies in November
Ballotpedia 08/03/2020
Read MoreSignatures turned in for ballot initiatives on voter approval of fees, income tax cut measures
The Center Square 07/31/2020
Read MoreSupreme Court blocks Idaho group from gathering ballot initiative signatures online
CNN 07/31/2020
Read MoreJudge Boots Arizona K-12 Funding Initiative Off November Ballot
New Phoenix Times 07/31/2020
Read MorePortland leaders send measure to create new police oversight board to November ballot
OPB 07/30/2020
Read MoreOregon lawmakers request first-ever racial impact analysis for drug decriminalization initiative
The Oregonian 07/25/2020
Read MoreCourt denies AG’s bid to halt initiative signature gathering in Oregon
Seattle Times 07/24/2020
Read MoreProposed ballot initiative aims to invest $40 million annually back into Sacramento communities
ABC10 07/23/2020
Read MoreSupreme Court deals blow to felons in Florida seeking to regain the right to vote
Washington Post 07/16/2020
Read MoreMinneapolis Ballot Measure to Dismantle the Police Will Test the Strength of Our Movement
Counter Punch 07/15/2020
Read MoreHealthcare for Missouri logging miles in campaign for Medicaid expansion
St. Louis Post Despatch 07/15/2020
Read MoreMassachusetts voters will decide on ranked-choice voting initiative in November
Ballotpedia 07/15/2020
Read MoreArizona voters could decide four initiatives in November, including one to hike taxes and one to legalize recreational pot
The Center Square 07/14/2020
Read MoreNebraskans For Medical Marijuana Meet Signature Requirement for 2020 Ballot Initiative
Cannabis Dispensary Mag 07/13/2020
Read MorePolis amends an executive order in response to Colorado Supreme Court ruling
Summit Daily 07/12/2020
Read More9-member Police Commission and ballot measure for oversight board among reforms proposed in Portland
Oregon Live 07/10/2020
Read MoreJudge’s ruling means plastics initiative likely going to voters
Resource Recycling 07/07/2020
Read MoreCalifornia’s Gig Economy Ballot Measure Fails Workers, Labor Groups Say
Bloomberg 07/07/2020
Read MoreSupporters of payday lending rate caps, expanded gambling, and medical marijuana initiatives file signatures in Nebraska
Ballotpedia 07/07/2020
Read MoreVoters in Deep-Red Oklahoma Weigh Medicaid Expansion as Virus Cases Climb
POLITICO 06/29/2020
Read MoreCalifornia voters will be asked to restore affirmative action in November
Los Angeles Times 06/24/2020
Read MoreInitiative to restore voting rights to Californians on parole heads to November ballot
Herald Media 06/24/2020
Read MoreVirginia Democratic Party urges voters to defeat redistricting reform amendment
WHSV Harrisonburg 06/24/2020
Read MoreRhode Island moves to change state’s official name due to slavery connotations
CBS News 06/24/2020
Read MoreProp. 47 reduced gaps in arrests, jailings among Blacks and whites, report finds
San Francisco Chronicle 06/23/2020
Read MoreCalifornia city named for a Confederate general will not put name change on November ballot
Los Angeles Times 06/23/2020
Read MoreRedistricting initiatives, including in Oregon, face tight deadline to make ballot
Associated Press 06/23/2020
Read MorePaid family leave supporters in Colorado push forward on petition effort
Denver Post 06/22/2020
Read MoreDefund police? Some cities have already started, investing in mental health instead
USA Today 06/22/2020
Read MoreFor decades, Jo Ann Hardesty pressed for police reform in Portland and Oregon. This is Hardesty’s moment
The Oregonian 06/21/2020
Read MoreState Supreme Court upholds titles of oil and gas, farm animal confinement ballot measures
Colorado Politics 06/19/2020
Read MoreDon’t declare initiatives dead yet; these 3 may qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot
AZ Central 06/19/2020
Read MoreRight to work constitutional amendment passes Tennessee House and Senate
Manchester Times 06/18/2020
Read MoreMichigan ballot application mailings to dead people raise Republican hackles
The Detroit News 06/15/2020
Read MoreBallot drive to ban abortion procedure in Michigan short signatures, Bureau of Elections concludes
MLive 06/15/2020
Read MoreSupes Committee Approves Ballot Measure To Allow 16-, 17-Year-Olds To Vote
SFGate 06/15/2020
Read MoreState Supreme Court turns away challenges to 4 oil, gas ballot measures
Colorado Politics 06/15/2020
Read MoreOklahoma’s Coronavirus Cases Spike As Voters Weigh Medicaid Expansion And Trump Plans Rally
Forbes 06/14/2020
Read MoreShould California end cash bail? Ads begin for November ballot fight
Sacramento Bee 06/14/2020
Read MoreColoradans will vote on Gallagher Amendment repeal in November
Boulder Daily Camera 06/14/2020
Read MoreAlaska superior court judge orders state to correct its summary of the oil-tax initiative
KTOO Alaska 06/14/2020
Read MoreFormer AG Goddard Says Signatures Collected For Ballot Initiatives This Year Should Count For 2022
KJZZ Arizona 06/13/2020
Read MoreMichigan LGBTQ ballot initiative goes digital for remaining signatures
Crain's Detroit Business 04/13/2020
Read MoreThought Leadership
BISC’s Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Speaks on Her 3 Year BISCiversary
Read More
More than Enough: On Being a Queer, Immigrant Latinx
As we celebrate Pride and Immigrant Heritage Month, BISC's Executive Director Chris Melody Fields Fi...
Read More
ALERT: Supreme Court Kills Mississippi’s Ballot Initiative Process
The Mississippi Supreme Court just struck down the state’s constitutional ballot initiative proces...
Read More
White Supremacy is America’s Greatest Threat: A Letter from BISC’s Executive Director
A week ago, we witnessed an attempted coup d'etat in the United States. The January 6, 2021 insurrec...
Read More
BISC 2020: Year in Review
BISC staff reflects on what they are most proud of this year. ...
Read MoreSign Up for BISCquick
The only weekly wrap-up of ballot measure news in the progressive community.
Press Releases
BISC to Host Pre-Election Press Briefing on Ballot Measures on October 20, 2022
10/13/2022
Read MoreBallot Initiatives in Five States Would Abolish Slavery from State Constitutions
09/21/2022
Read MoreWith Roe Overturned, Ballot Initiatives Provide a Path Towards Reproductive Freedom
06/24/2022
Read MoreCalifornia, Maine, New York, and Colorado Join the List of States Working to Protect Abortion Access Through Ballot Measures
05/10/2022
Read MoreWith SCOTUS Poised to Overturn Roe, Ballot Initiatives Offer Path to Protect Abortion Access
05/03/2022
Read MoreBISC’S ROAD AHEAD ‘22 CONFERENCE ENVISIONS A WORLD WHERE “PEOPLE ARE NO LONGER JUST SURVIVING, THEY ARE THRIVING”
04/26/2022
Read MoreJoint Statement on the Failed Restoration of Mississippi’s Ballot Initiative Process
04/08/2022
Read MoreICYMI: Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Executive Director Chris Melody Fields Figueredo’s Democracy Docket Op-Ed on the Importance of Ballot Measures
04/05/2022
Read MoreThe Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Launches Multi-Year National Defend Direct Democracy Campaign to Protect Ballot Measures Across the Country
10/14/2021
Read MoreBISC Releases Statement on the Verdict in Derek Chauvin’s Trial for the Murder of George Floyd
04/20/2021
Read MoreStatement on Georgia Shootings, Increasing Anti-Asian Violence
03/22/2021
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center's (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, issued...
Read MoreMeet BISC’s Five New Board Members
12/16/2020
In early December, BISC welcomed five new board members who will serve on either the BISC Inc or BIS...
Read MoreGrateful for us: A Message from BISC’s Executive Director
11/24/2020
BISC Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, reflects on what BISC is thankful for....
Read MoreBISC + Partners Release Executive Directors of Color Video: Relationships and Resilience Collective
11/23/2020
Read MoreBISC RELEASES STATEMENT ON THE 2020 BALLOT MEASURE ELECTION RESULTS
11/04/2020
The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, ...
Read More2020 BALLOT MEASURE ELECTION RESULTS
11/04/2020
BISC Releases Statement On 2020 Ballot Measure Results. ...
Read MoreTHE BALLOT INITIATIVE STRATEGY CENTER MOURNS THE LOSS OF JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
09/19/2020
Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) is...
Read MoreHonoring our Essential Workers this Labor Day
09/04/2020
BISC Executive Director Chris Melody Fields Figueredo releases statement on Labor Day, essential wor...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement recognizing the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment
08/18/2020
BISC Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, issued the following statement recognizing t...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement as Missouri becomes the 6th state expand Medicaid through ballot measures
08/05/2020
The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, ...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement following the Supreme Court’s decision to block hundreds of thousands of Floridians from voting this year
07/17/2020
Read MoreBISC Announces New Staff Members and Restructure
07/16/2020
BISC Executive Director writes about staffing changes at the organization. ...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement following Oklahoma’s successful passage of Medicaid Expansion
07/01/2020
Today, Oklahoma became the first state to expand Medicaid coverage during this pandemic. In the mids...
Read MoreWelcome to the all-new hub for ballot measures
06/25/2020
Welcome to the all-new Ballot Initiative Strategy Center website! After months of planning and devel...
Read MoreBISC releases statement on the importance of recognizing Juneteenth and Defending Black Lives
06/19/2020
Today, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figuered...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement recognizing Pride Month and the ongoing fight for equity and justice for all Americans
06/03/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, issu...
Read MoreBISC releases statement about the ongoing, state-sanctioned violence against the Black community
06/01/2020
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo issue...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center Releases Statement on Successful Portland Initiative to Fight Homelessness
05/20/2020
Portland voters delivered a resounding win for a powerful measure to fight homelessness in the Metro...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement on SCOTUS’ DACA decision and rejection of the Trump administration’s racist agenda
06/18/2020
Earlier today, Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s (BISC) Executive Director, Chris Melody Fields ...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center releases statement on Missouri lawmakers’ attack on fair maps, 2018 ‘Clean Missouri’ ballot measure
05/13/2020
Earlier today, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strate...
Read MoreIn the face of uncertainty, direct democracy remains vital
04/10/2020
In the face of this public health crisis, our democracy may well be at stake. Despite what may feel ...
Read MoreBallot Initiative Strategy Center Releases Statement on Ballot Measure Work in Midst of COVID-19 Crisis
04/07/2020
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Earlier today, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, the Executive Director of the Ballo...
Read More