Ballot Initiatives Resources

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Off-year elections can be notoriously unreliable as predictors of the future, but as a window on how the political landscape may have changed in the year since President Obama won the White House, Tuesday's Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey delivered clear warnings for the Democrats.read more >>

The deep recession is forcing millions of Americans in their 50s and 60s to rethink plans for retirement. That shift -- coupled with new legislation out of Washington -- could help spur a commitment to national service not seen since the early days of the Peace Corps, say nonprofits.read more >>

Yesterday, the Student Association for Voter Empowerment (SAVE) held a press conference in the U.S. Capitol to mark the reintroduction of the Student Voter Opportunity To Encourage Registration Act of 2009, otherwise known as the Student VOTER Act (HR 1749).read more >>

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California’s state Supreme Court has agreed to decide the legality of Proposition 8, the ballot measure that repealed the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry in California. The passage of Prop 8 has sparked nationwide protests by gay rights activists. Multiple lawsuits have been filed over the past two weeks. The Los Angeles Times reports gay rights advocates argue that the measure was a constitutional revision, instead of a more limited amendment.read more >>

Here are some things you should know about ballot initiatives in California.

In all of the 1960s, there were only nine statewide initiatives placed on the ballot. In the 1970s, that number rose to 22. In the 1980s, Californians were asked to vote on 46; then, in the 1990s, it climbed to 61. So far in this decade, there already have been 63 -- and there's still a year to go, with a possible special election in June.

That's a record every decade -- and a sevenfold increase over 50 years.read more >>

Anti-affirmative-action guru Ward Connerly will likely halt his nationwide push to end race and gender preferences. Connerly, a part black California businessman, spoke with the Colorado Independent an hour after Amendment 46 toppled by an extremely thin margin.read more >>

November 6, 2008

Two excellent sites for comprehensive information on the outcome of state elections including ballot measures:

• www.ncsl.org – National Conference of State Legislatures is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staff of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.read more >>

***Election Night Press Release***

For Immediate Release For more information contact:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008 Kristina Wilfore
202-415-7681

Progressives Win Big on Ballot Initiatives

Voters weigh in with widespread rejection of right wing efforts

Washington D.C. -- Across the country voters went to the polls today and voted with progressives on ballot initiatives and referendums. Progressive backed initiatives were approved by voters in Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Washington, and Wisconsin.read more >>

Opponents of a ban on same-sex marriage have the upper hand in a new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, but the numbers also suggest that the third time may be a charm for Proposition 4, which requires notification of a parent or relative before a minor can receive an abortion.
While voters are enthusiastically looking ahead to the November election, they're also convinced that the economy is a disaster, worried about California's financial future and angry at a state Legislature that was nearly three months late in approving a budget.read more >>

Opposition to a California ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage is mounting following Attorney General Jerry Brown's move to change the language on the initiative, according to a Field Poll released today.

The poll found that just 38 percent of likely voters support the measure, while 55 percent intend to vote no. That compares with 42 percent in support and 51 percent opposed in July.

Brown amended the Proposition 8 summary language after the state Supreme Court's decision on May 15 to overturn California's previous ban on same-sex marriage.read more >>

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is the progressive "think-and-do tank" for ballot measure research and strategic campaign support. We are a resource for grassroots advocates seeking to pass issues of economic justice, environmental protection, expanded health care, quality public education, and much more. The only organization of its kind, BISC uses the initiative process as a tool for achieving progressive policy goals and building broad political power in the states.