tactics & strategies for organizing a successful ballot measure campaign transit initiatives...
TRANSCRIPT
Tactics & Strategies for Tactics & Strategies for Organizing a Successful Ballot Organizing a Successful Ballot
Measure CampaignMeasure Campaign
Transit Initiatives Conference
December 2003
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center www.ballot.org
MissionMission Help defeat right-wing and anti-labor initiativesHelp defeat right-wing and anti-labor initiatives
Help develop a proactive, national Help develop a proactive, national strategy to advance progressive ballot strategy to advance progressive ballot measures measures
Connect advocates and political veterans Connect advocates and political veterans across state and issue lines across state and issue lines
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
3 Core Functions3 Core Functions Direct Support to CampaignsDirect Support to Campaigns
One-of-a-kind ResearchOne-of-a-kind Research
Strategic Guidance Strategic Guidance
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Ballot Initiatives are allowed in 11 of the 19 Presidential Battleground States
11
7
6
56
3
12
5
4
3
3
9
5
3
3
7
11
27
66
2020
17
4
12
3
Presidential BattlegroundPresidential BattlegroundNon Presidential BattlegroundNon Presidential Battleground
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Key Components of a Successful Campaign Public support strong enough
Voter self interest paramount Strong support for concept (70% support recommended with at
least 30% strongly support) Strong support for actual ballot language (should poll on
language)
Voters believe there’s a problem Is their sufficient understanding/concern of traffic congestion or
other issues your initiative addresses? Public education has been done about what voters got for their
money from the last initiative Issues of accountability addressed prior to launching a
campaign
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
The plan is specific Lack of specificity allows the opposition to frame the
debate to their advantage and gives voters an out
The opposition has been consciously minimized
Through the structure of the package e.g. Denver’s light rail campaign with highway funding
Through the coalition Through the financing mechanism
Campaign message is compelling and consistent
Paid and earned media equally important Prepare response to expected opposition arguments Don’t make this about the tax – it’s about the programs
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Adequate resources are raised There’s no silver bullet!
The right election is chosen General? On year/off year? Primary? Don’t think special elections give you a break –
stealth campaigns rarely work
Votes to win are estimated and constantly assessed
Must develop a person-to-person field plan Volunteers necessary
Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Plan, plan, plan EARLY Get strategy in writing An 18-month lead time is NOT too early Some issues are multi-year campaigns