Ballot Measures Are Under Threat—Philanthropy Must Help

To protect freedom, we must protect the ballot measure process. 

The past few months have been turbulent, chaotic, and disheartening. From aggressive ICE raids to actions that will eliminate access to healthcare for millions of Americans, policymakers are reversing progress on health equity, racial justice, and economic opportunity. Amid federal and state-level backsliding on fundamental rights and freedoms, it is more critical than ever that we dismantle barriers. The philanthropic sector can help ensure that—no matter our political party or ideology—we all have a voice in the policies that affect our lives by protecting the ballot measure process. Doing so is particularly important now as threats mount against this vital form of direct democracy.

Amid eroding public trust in government, making the democratic process more responsive to the will of the voters strengthens participation and may help to rebuild faith in the role of government. In fact, in a 2024 survey, voters reported being more confident in citizen-led policymaking than other forms of government.

Ballot measures are an increasingly important tool to build grassroots power and give all voters, especially those pushed to the margins by racism, a voice in the policies that affect their lives and freedoms. At this time when state legislatures have become increasingly polarized, ballot measures build community voice and power. Since the early 1900s, when this tool first appeared, Americans have voted to pass thousands of ballot measures that have improved their health and wellbeing. A recent study by Health Affairs found that more than half the ballot initiatives that passed across the country between 2014 and 2023 (63.5%) were related to health. Voters have used ballot measures to protect or secure access to abortion, expand Medicaid coverage to those who had long been excluded, raise minimum wages, and require employers to provide paid sick leave. 

A powerful tool for advancing health and racial equity is under attack

But as more states and communities find pathways for progress at the ballot box, a growing number of state legislatures are trying to restrict voters’ ability to create and pass ballot measures. In 2024, state legislators introduced 103 bills that sought to change the rules and make it more difficult to pass these measures.

In Arkansas for example, the state legislature recently passed a slew of laws aiming to limit ballot measure access. Some of the onerous new requirements include that canvassers must verify signers' identities with photo ID, read the full ballot title aloud or ensure the signer reads it, and warn signers about the legal consequences of petition fraud.

In other states, legislators are introducing bills to increase signature requirements, raise the voting threshold needed to pass an initiative once it is on the ballot, or set administrative requirements that increase the cost and time needed to pass measures, among other measures designed to thwart their use. And as many states wrap up their 2025 legislative sessions, at least 79 bills are in play to take power away from the people by limiting direct democracy. They protect the status quo and roll back progress toward a more just future.

Philanthropy must act

Despite these setbacks, we have an opportunity to protect this vital tool that enables states and communities to advance meaningful change, even amid federal rollbacks. 

When we protect ballot measure access, we protect opportunities to break partisan gridlock and deliver meaningful results. For example, in 2024, while 59 percent of Nebraskans voted for Donald Trump, 75 percent also passed paid sick leave via ballot measure. The issue of paid sick leave was not decided along partisan lines, but through unified support from a supermajority of Nebraskans.

The philanthropic sector has an important role to play in helping Americans drive the changes they want and deserve. Perhaps most importantly, if philanthropy doesn’t engage, ballot measures may no longer be an option for many communities that are trying urgently to advance their health and wellbeing. 

Organizations are taking action on the frontlines of democracy

The stakes could not be higher, which is why any funder working to advance equity should support and invest in nonprofits that are protecting the ballot measure process. There are numerous organizations on the front lines of this fight. National RWJF partners such as the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation and The Fairness Project Education Fund, as well as state organizations are working to defend the ballot measures process through non-lobbying advocacy, mobilization, public education, legal efforts, and research. These organizations are doing critical on-the-ground work to educate voters, organize communities, and stand up to power in order to defend their right to direct democracy. 

With sufficient resources, these and other partners can successfully defend access to the ballot measure process. Protecting direct democracy isn’t a side issue. It’s essential to advancing justice and giving everyone a fair and just opportunity to thrive. For funders focused on addressing economic inequality, promoting gender equality, or, in RWJF's case, advocating for health equity, the fight to protect and expand ballot measure access is your fight, too. Join us.

About the Author

Avenel Joseph is the interim executive vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She brings a wealth of government, management, and political expertise to leading the Foundation’s programming.