The People Have Spoken. Our Work Continues.
Dear Friends,
This week, voters across the country reminded us of something powerful: When people feel empowered and are motivated, they can change what is possible.
From protecting reproductive freedom in Missouri, Virginia, and Nevada, to rejecting efforts to restrict direct democracy in Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah, communities demonstrated the power of organizing and collective action.
We saw voters stand up for trans people’s rights and against corruption and the influence of big money in politics. We saw communities come together to defend fundamental freedoms, expand democratic participation, and improve the material conditions of their lives. And we saw, once again, that the issues shaping people’s everyday lives often transcend the political divisions that dominate the headlines.
But the election results (that are still coming in) also remind us that progress is neither inevitable nor permanent. Attacks on transgender communities, voting rights, and austerity underscore just how much work remains.
There were so many joyous victories to celebrate, losses to learn from, and one undeniable truth: The power to build a better future rests with the people.
At BISC, we know that power is not built in a single election. It is built through years of organizing, sustained long-term investment, trusting communities and local leaders, and defending hard-won victories. Democracy thrives when we take that power and imagine what more is possible and then create it together.
The work doesn’t end on Election Day. It is just beginning. Now we must govern and deliver for the people.
As we look ahead, we remain committed to protecting the People’s Tool and working with our partners to strengthen the movements that will help create the world we all deserve.
The future world where all are free and treated with dignity isn’t something we wait for. It’s something we demand and build together.
Adelante!
Chris Melody Fields Figueredo
Executive Director
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Explore BISC’s 2026 Election Results Tracker
Read BISC’s Post-Election Press Release