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The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center strengthens democracy by building progressive strategy for ballot measures.

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ICYMI: This week, @SarahAndTheBear of @76Words joined our hosts @Cmfieldsy and @Carolinevangeline on Season 2, Episode 6 of #DirectDemocracyDiaries for an insightful conversation on how to make campaign messages stick and reach voters. 🗳️⁠
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Sarah has years of experience crafting effective messages and strategies to reach and persuade voters who are conflicted or difficult to motivate. As a native Oklahoman, she has helped secure dozens of ballot initiative wins on progressive issues in more conservative states, including marriage equality, raising the minimum wage, protecting reproductive rights, and much more. ⁠
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This is an episode you don't want to miss - listen now wherever you get your podcasts! 🎙️ by @ballotstrategy

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2 days ago

Welcome back to #ElectionConnection: Democracy Edition! 🗳️⁠
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The November ballot includes more than 40 democracy measures across 28 states — addressing voting rules, election administration, redistricting, campaign finance, voter identification, citizenship requirements, ranked-choice voting, and more. ⁠
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The 2026 ballot reflects an ongoing contest over the rules of democratic participation themselves. The question is not only what voters will decide in November, but what those decisions will mean for the elections that follow.⁠
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SWIPE to learn more about some of the key democracy-related measures BISC is tracking + head to BISC's Ballot Measure Hub for the full breakdown - link in bio! by @ballotstrategy

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3 days ago

WE'RE LIVE: Tune in now to Tune in to Episode 6 of #DirectDemocracyDiaries! In this episode, our co-hosts @cmfieldsy and @Carolinevangeline speak with @SarahAndTheBear, partner at @76Words, to dive into how ballot measure campaigns build media strategies that reach and persuade voters.⁠
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In today’s episode, Sarah explains how paid and earned media should work together, why campaigns need to understand their vote goals and persuadable audiences, and how research can guide messaging without replacing human judgment. We also discuss authentic storytelling, supporting messengers, responding to misinformation, using AI and digital tools, and much more. Whether you’re running a proactive or defensive measure, messaging is always one of the most integral parts of any successful ballot initiative campaign. Don’t miss today’s episode!⁠
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Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧️🗳️⁠ by @ballotstrategy

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4 days ago

We are so excited to announce that Early Bird Registration for #RoadAhead27 is NOW OPEN! 🎉🤩⁠
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With Road Ahead fast approaching, we are excited to share the theme for Road Ahead ‘27: “Imagining the People’s Next Chapter.” This year’s theme is an invitation for all of us to look beyond the challenges of our current moment and envision what’s possible. What better place to reimagine democracy than in a city with a rich history like Boston? At a time when democracy faces profound challenges and the future feels uncertain, we are reminded that the next chapter is not yet written.⁠
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Check your email for more info + the link to register. We can't wait to see many of you in Boston in just a few short months! 💌🗳️ by @ballotstrategy

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5 days ago

It's that time of year… We're back with #ElectionConnection, and our first issue of 2026 dives into the LGBTQIA+ and reproductive rights measures that voters will see on statewide ballots next month. 🗳️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️⁠
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BISC is closely tracking 11 measures related to these issues — including proposals to expand reproductive rights and protections for marriage equality, as well as measures targeting trans rights and using deceptive tactics to re-ban abortion in a state where voters have already used their power to expand it. ⁠
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SWIPE to learn more about some of the key measures BISC is tracking in this space + head to BISC's Ballot Measure Hub for the full breakdown - link in bio! by @ballotstrategy

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10 days ago

"This is about love, and the opposition is about hate." ❤️‍🔥⁠
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WE'RE LIVE: Tune in now to Tune in to Episode 5 of #DirectDemocracyDiaries! In this episode, our co-hosts @cmfieldsy and @Carolinevangeline speak with @JjAlhaj, co-founder and executive director of @MoWorkers, about Missouri’s “Year of No” and what defensive campaigns can teach organizers about building lasting power. ⁠
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Jeremy traces his path into organizing, explains how ballot measures have become a critical tool for working-class Missourians, and discusses recent fights over direct democracy, taxes, reproductive rights, and redistricting. The conversation explores how long-term relationships, durable coalitions, and organizing across local and state campaigns can turn defensive victories into the foundation for a future “Year of Yes.”⁠
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Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧️🗳️⁠ by @ballotstrategy

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11 days ago

‼️ We are sounding the alarm. Transgender people are facing a coordinated assault on this year's ballots in five states. We must act now to stop these discriminatory, harmful measures from passing and from being introduced in other states. ‼️⁠
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Our partners at @TransLawCenter, @GLAAD, @LambdaLegal, @TransEqualityNow, and @HumanRightsCampaign have authored a powerful piece in @TheAdvocateMag explaining how these measures could become a testing ground for a broader political strategy in 2028 targeting transgender rights. But if they fail in November, we can show lawmakers that we will not tolerate the democratic process being used against LGBTQIA+ Americans again. ⁠
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As our partners explain: "Politicians and special interest groups behind these efforts are eager to distract voters from their failures. While they are spreading disinformation about transgender Americans, they are not fixing rising costs of living or issues that impact the daily lives of We the People. These anti-LGBTQ candidates and activists do not just bank on fear tactics and disinformation. They are also counting on your apathy.⁠
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We need voters to make their choices with eyes and hearts open, up and down the ballot. It’s time to be united and make our country a place where every LGBTQ person and family is welcome, safe, and free. ⁠
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When they come for one of us, they come for all of us." 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 by @ballotstrategy

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13 days ago

We are thrilled to announce that BISC's podcast, Direct Democracy Diaries, is a finalist for the @ShortyAwards in the podcast category! 🏆️⁠
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The Shorty Impact Awards are an annual international awards program dedicated to honoring the most impactful and purpose-driven work across digital and social media. We're honored to be a finalist - but we need your help! 🗳️👀⁠
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The Audience Honor award is up to you, so vote now for Direct Democracy Diaries to win the Audience Honor award in the podcast category. Voting is open until October 13, and you can vote once per day. Link in bio to vote now! 🤩⁠
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#shortyimpact #impactawardsfinalist #whatmatters by @ballotstrategy

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16 days ago

Happy International Podcast Day!! To celebrate, we are proud to bring you Episode 4 of #DirectDemocracyDiaries. In today’s episode, our co-hosts @cmfieldsy and @Carolinevangeline speak with Krithika Harish, senior program officer for @SchustermanPhilanthropies, about philanthropy’s role in building lasting movements. 🎙️⁠
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In “Funding the Movement: Krithika Harish on Trust, Philanthropy, and Ballot Measures,” Krithika shares her path from civic engagement and international development to advocacy and institutional funding, then explains how trust, transparency, and long-term relationships shape strong funder-grantee partnerships. Together, they examine the role of ballot measures in advancing reproductive freedom, why early and sustained investment matters throughout the full life cycle of a campaign, how the funding landscape has shifted since the 2024 election, and why funders must reflect on the power they hold to shape movements.⁠
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We’re almost halfway through Season 2, and this is a can’t-miss episode for funders and those who work with them! Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧️🗳️⁠ by @ballotstrategy

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18 days ago

Today's campaign spotlight goes out to @VA4ReproFreedom, the coalition of Virginia families, doctors, nurses, and advocacy organizations working to ensure Virginians can make reproductive health care decisions free from government interference. ⁠
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This November, Virginia voters have the opportunity to make history and enshrine reproductive freedom into the state constitution. Join us, and vote yes to protect every Virginian’s right to make their own decisions about pregnancy and health care! ⁠
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#YESon1 #ReproductiveFreedom #Virginia by @ballotstrategy

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19 days ago

Movements don’t build themselves — they need resources, relationships, and long-term investment.⁠
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In this Wednesday’s episode, our co-hosts @cmfieldsy and @CarolineVangeline sit down with Krithika Harish, Senior Program Officer for @schustermanphilanthropies, to unpack philanthropy’s role in building movements that actually last.⁠
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They dig into the importance of trust, transparency, and meaningful relationships between funders and grantees, and why investing early can make all the difference as the work unfolds.⁠
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🎧 Catch the full episode this Wednesday. Link in bio to learn more! ⁠
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#DirectDemocracyDiaries⁠ by @ballotstrategy

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20 days ago

Today's campaign spotlight goes out to @NoHateinWAState, the campaign standing against hate and opposing I-001 and I-638. These harmful, discriminatory initiatives threaten the safety of all Washington students — putting them at greater risk of harm at home and at school.⁠
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Spread the word to vote NO on I-001 and I-638 this November, and follow the campaign for more updates. ⁠
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#NoHateWAState by @ballotstrategy

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24 days ago