Ballot Initiatives

Democracy NowCalifornia’s state Supreme Court has agreed to decide the legality of Proposition 8, the ballot measure that repealed the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry in California.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 »

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

BISC's 2008 report contains the most detailed, comprehensive, and up-to-date information and analysis of the ballot initiatives and referenda.

Click here for full report!

Los Angeles Times by Robert M. Stern and Tracy Westen

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 »

Washington Post

THE PASSAGE in California this week of a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage was a profound disappointment. The vote came after gay-rights advocates legally challenged a 2000 referendum that defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  read more »

Colorado Independent by Naomi Zeveloff

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 »

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center by Steve Schwartz

• Oregon voters have rejected the anti-labor Paycheck Deception measure (64). This means, among other things, that our friends in the Defend Oregon Coalition, who coordinated a massive statewide campaign to oppose seven different measures and support two initiatives, have run the table. They won all nine with an energetic collaboration between nonprofits, labor organizations, individuals, constituency groups, and associations. Defend Oregon has emerged as a tremendous model for successful coordination, planning and execution for a state facing a diverse array of ballot measures.  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 »

Washington Post

Thursday, November 6, 2008

California takes a step toward nonpartisan redistricting.  read more »

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center by Kristina Wilfore

***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 »

New York Times by Jesse McKinley and Laurie GoodsteinSAN FRANCISCO — A giant rainbow-colored flag in the gay-friendly Castro neighborhood of San Francisco was flying at half-staff on Wednesday as social and religious conservatives celebrated the passage of measures that ban same-sex marriage in California, Florida and Arizona.
 read more »