Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center
Basic facts
Location:	Washington, D.C.
Type:	501(c)(3), 501(c)(4)
Top official:	Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director
Founder(s):	Amy Pritchard
Year founded:	1999
Website:	Official website

The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, or BISC, based in Washington, DC, tracks, analyzes, and advocates for progressive ballot measures and develops strategies for opposing and supporting ballot measures campaigns. The group also works to defend and expand the laws that make possible the initiative process. There are two BISC organizations—the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Inc., a 501(c)(4), and the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3).

Background

Amy Pritchard founded BISC in 1999.

The organization was established for the purposes of "tracking, researching, and supporting ballot measure campaigns for the progressive community." According to BISC's website, it is a "nationwide movement-building infrastructure organization that leverages ballot measures across the United States to strengthen democracy, center marginalized communities, advance racial equity, build and transform power, and galvanize a new progressive base."

Leadership

As of July 2025, the BISC website listed the following individuals as the organization's leadership:

• Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director
• Jane Norman, chief of staff
• Marsha Donat, capacity building director
• Elizabeth Schilling, development director
• Victoria Ward, director of operations and finance
• Jennifer Parrish Taylor, policy and legal advocacy director
• Adam Snipes, director of strategic partnerships
• Quentin Savwoir, director of programs and strategy
• Caroline Sánchez-Avakian, director of strategic communications

Work and activities

BISC's website says it seeks to help progressive ballot measures campaigns develop strategies and foster a collaborative approach with those campaigns. The organization conducts research on the science of ballot measures and voter responses, compiling a digital library of resources that houses information on anything from past campaign information to memos on best practices. Additionally, BISC is financially active in ballot measures campaigns, donating funds in support of progressive measures and funding opposition to conservative measures. The organization said it has focused on the following issues: "Over the past 20 years, we’ve supported state and national organizations throughout the country to lead campaigns that create a living wage, restore voting rights for the formerly incarcerated, reform our criminal justice system, fund public education, and much more. As we are building a world where equity and justice prevails, we also fight efforts to curb reproductive freedom, limit a worker’s right to organize and join a union, and restrict people’s civil rights."

Electoral activities and influence

The information below shows some initiatives that BISC has supported and opposed financially or with formal endorsements and opposition statements.

Measures supported

2024

BISC supported some of the following measures:

• Missouri Amendment 3, Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative (2024): "Missouri made history on November 5 as the first state to clear the path for overturning a trigger abortion ban following 2022’s Dobbs decision. Amendment 3 prevents the government from denying or interfering with a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom up until the point of fetal viability. Several surrounding states that have suffered from similar trigger bans will now have the benefit of abortion access a little closer to home."
• Alaska Ballot Measure 1, Minimum Wage Increase and Paid Sick Leave Initiative (2024): "Alaskans will now see their minimum wage gradually increase to $15 an hour by July 1, 2027, and be adjusted in the future to keep up with inflation. They’ll also be allowed to accrue up to 40 or 56 hours of paid sick leave a year and be protected from required meetings on political or religious matters unrelated to their work."

BISC opposed the following measure:

• Arizona Proposition 134, Signature Distribution Requirement for Initiatives Amendment (2024): "A legislatively-referred constitutional amendment, Prop. 134 would have required initiative campaigns to collect signatures in each of the state’s 30 legislative districts — 10% of votes cast for governor for state statutes and 15% for constitutional amendments."

2022

BISC released a list of all measures it opposed and supported: All language below is original to BISC.

BISC ballot measure positions

State	BISC’s Position	Title	Ballot Measure Campaign
Alaska	Oppose	Measure 1	A “yes” vote supports holding a state constitutional convention. A “no” vote opposes holding a state constitutional convention. A constitutional convention consists of elected delegates that propose changes to the state’s constitution. Any proposed changes, including a rewritten constitution, must be approved by voters.
Arizona	Oppose	Proposition 309	Requiring state, federal, or tribal issued photo-ID to vote in-person, early, and by mail. Required affidavits to be completed for early voting.
Arizona	Oppose	Proposition 132	Makes changes to the initiative process in the state of Arizona; supermajority vote requirement for tax measures.
Arizona	Oppose	Proposition 128	Reform Voter Protection Act; empowering the Legislature to amend, divert funds from, or supersede an initiative or referendum approved by voters when the measure is found to contain illegal or unconstitutional language by the state supreme court or the U.S. Supreme Court.
Arizona	Oppose	Proposition 129	Single-subject requirement for ballot initiatives.
Arizona	Support	Proposition 308	Allowing non-citizen students to receive in-state college tuition.
Arizona	Support	Proposition 209	Predatory Debt Collection Protection Act: limits interest rate on certain medical debt.
Arkansas	Oppose	Issue 2	Constitutional amendments proposed shall be approved when receiving at least sixty percent (60%) of the votes cast.
Arkansas	Support	Issue 4	Legalize recreational marijuana.
California	Support	Proposition 1	Reproductive Freedom Act: right to reproductive freedom, including abortion treatment and contraceptives.
California	Support	Proposition 30	Clean Cars Act: corporate taxes to fund electric vehicles and wildfire mitigation.
Colorado	Support	Proposition FF	School Meals Funding: reduces income tax deductions to fund the Healthy School Meals Program for All, providing free meals to all students.
Colorado	Support	Proposition 122	Decriminalization, regulated distribution, and therapy program for certain hallucinogenic plants and fungi (Initiative #58).
Colorado	Oppose	Proposition 121	Reduce the state income tax rate from 4.55% to 4.40% for tax years commencing on or after January 1, 2022.
Colorado	Support	Proposition GG	Amount Of Tax Owed Table for Initiatives: requires a table showing changes in income tax owed for average taxpayers in certain brackets to be included in the ballot title and fiscal summary for any initiative that would increase or decrease the individual income tax rate.
Colorado	Support	Proposition 123	Dedicates one tenth of one percent from existing income tax revenues and allocates funds to housing projects to reduce rents, purchase land for affordable housing development.
Connecticut	Support	Question 1	An amendment to the state constitution to permit early voting.
DC	Support	Initiative 82	Eliminate the Tipped Worker Credit.
Florida	Support	Amendment 2	Abolishing the Constitution Revision Commission.
Illinois	Support	Amendment 1	Right to collective bargaining: constitutional right for workers to organize themselves and collectively bargain with their employers.
Iowa	Oppose	Amendment 1	The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Kentucky	Oppose	Amendment 2	No Right to Abortion: adds language stating the constitution cannot be interpreted to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.
Louisiana	Oppose	Amendment 7	Prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude: wording became twisted during the legislative process and could be read to permit slavery.
Maryland	Support	Question 4	Legalize recreational marijuana.
Massachusetts	Support	Question 1	Fair Share Amendment: creates an additional 4 percent tax on the portion of incomes above $1 million for education, roads, bridges, and public transportation.
Massachusetts	Support	Question 4	Repeal House Bill 4805 (H 4805), which authorized driver’s licenses for individuals who cannot provide proof of lawful presence.
Michigan	Support	Proposal 3	Reproductive Freedom For All Amendment: affirms a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including decisions about pregnancy, birth control, abortion, prenatal care, and childbirth.
Michigan	Support	Proposal 2	Promote the Vote: expands voting rights, guarantees counting of military and overseas ballots postmarked by election day, requires ID or affidavit, authorizes absentee ballot drop boxes, allows nine days of early voting, and requires disclosure of certain private donations.
Missouri	Oppose	Amendment 4	Allows the legislature to pass a law until December 31, 2026, requiring a city to increase funding without state reimbursement to a police force established by a state board of police commissioners.
Missouri	Support	Amendment 3	Legalize marijuana for adults over 21; allow expungement for nonviolent offenses; impose 6% tax on sales.
Montana	Oppose	LR-131	Requiring medical care for fetuses: criminalizes abortion providers and patients through ambiguous treatment requirements with severe penalties.
Nebraska	Oppose	Initiative 432	Voter ID requirements.
Nebraska	Support	Initiative 433	Minimum wage increase to $15/hour.
Nevada	Support	Question 2	Minimum wage increase to $12/hour by 2024.
Nevada	Support	Question 1	Equality Act: guarantees equal rights in the state constitution.
New Mexico	Support	Constitutional Amendment 1	Early Childhood Education Funding: allocates funding from the Land Grant Permanent Fund.
North Dakota	Support	Statutory Measure 2	Legalize possession of cannabis for adults 21+.
Ohio	Oppose	Issue 2	Prohibit local governments from allowing non-citizens to vote.
Ohio	Oppose	Issue 1	Bail reform.
Oregon	Support	Measure 112	Abolish slavery as punishment for a crime in the state constitution.
Oregon	Support	Measure 114	Reduction of Gun Violence Act: permit-to-purchase system; restricts magazines over 10 rounds.
Oregon	Support	Measure 114	Legislative Accountability.
Oregon	Support	Measure 111	Ensures every state resident has access to cost-effective, clinically appropriate, affordable health care.
South Dakota	Support	Constitutional Amendment D	Medicaid expansion to adults below 133% FPL.
South Dakota	Support	Initiated Measure 27	Legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana; allow home grow under certain conditions; create civil penalties.
Tennessee	Support	Constitutional Amendment 3	Abolish slavery and involuntary servitude, removing criminal punishment exception.
Tennessee	Oppose	Constitutional Amendment 1	Right to Work: unconstitutional to require union membership as a condition of employment.
Vermont	Support	Proposal 5	Reproductive Liberty Amendment: protects the right to make personal reproductive decisions.
Vermont	Support	Proposal 2	Abolish slavery and indentured servitude; remove outdated consent/apprenticeship language.

2018: Missouri Amendment 1, Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting Initiative

BISC supported the Missouri Amendment 1, Lobbying, Campaign Finance, and Redistricting Initiative (2018) that made changes to the state's lobbying laws, campaign finance limits for state legislative candidates, and legislative redistricting process.

Voters approved the amendment 62-38% on November 6, 2018.

In 2020, BISC opposed Missouri Amendment 3, Redistricting Process and Criteria, Lobbying, and Campaign Finance Amendment (2020), which returned the state to the use of bipartisan commissions appointed by the governor for legislative redistricting and eliminated the nonpartisan state demographer, which was created by the approval of Amendment 1.

Voters approved Amendment 3 51-49%.

2016: Maine initiatives

See also: Maine Minimum Wage Increase, Question 4 (2016)

See also: Maine Tax on Incomes Exceeding $200,000 for Public Education, Question 2 (2016)

BISC announced in 2016 that it supported two Maine initiatives designed to gradually increase the minimum wage to $12 per hour by 2020 (Maine Minimum Wage Increase Initiative) and grant new funding to support public education (Maine Public Education Surcharge Initiative). BISC Executive Director Justine Sarver stated, "Voters are frustrated with Washington and lawmakers in Augusta, and the ballot is one way that we can continue to advance the issues that empower families and expand opportunity for all." She continued, "For too long lawmakers have refused to pass livable minimum wage, and this year Mainers have the chance to strengthen the state’s economy."

Ohio Minimum Wage Initiative (2006)

See also: Ohio Minimum Wage Initiative (2006)

BISC gave $28,500 to the 2006 Ohio Minimum Wage Initiative, which was designed to increase the minimum wage in Ohio from $5.15 to $6.85 starting on January 1, 2007 with further increases each year to make up for inflation. The measure was passed in November 2006.

Washington Energy Conservation, Initiative 937 (2006)

See also: Washington Energy Conservation, Initiative 937 (2006)

BISC donated $10,000 to the Washington Energy Conservation Initiative of 2006, which was designed to require certain electric utilities with 25,000 or more customers to meet certain targets for energy conservation and use of renewable energy resources, as defined, including energy credits, or pay penalties. The initiative was passed in November 2006.

Ohio Issue 4 (2005)

See also: Ohio Issue 4 (2005)

In 2005, BISC donated $55,000 to a group called Reform Ohio Now, which was a sponsor of Ohio Issue 4 (2005). The measure was designed to create a state redistricting commission to draw state legislative districts boundaries in Ohio. The measure was defeated in November of 2005, with 33% of Ohio voters in favor of the measure.

Measures opposed

Idaho Restrict Eminent Domain Initiative, Initiative 2 (2006)

See also: Idaho Restrict Eminent Domain Initiative, Initiative 2 (2006)

In 2006, BISC donated $10,000 to the successful effort to defeat the 2006 Idaho Restrict Eminent Domain Initiative, which was designed to limit the ability of the Idaho state government, as well as local governments in Idaho, to take private property using the power of eminent domain.

California Proposition 21 (2000)

See also; California Proposition 21 (2000)

In 2000, BISC donated $29,500 to an unsuccessful campaign to defeat California Proposition 21 (2000). Proposition 21, which was designed to make various aspects of the treatment of juvenile offendors more strict, passed with 62% of the vote in November 2000.

Notable endorsements

See also: Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.

Notable ballot measure endorsements by Ballot Initiative Strategy Center

Measure	Position	Outcome
Arkansas Issue 2, 60% Supermajority Vote Requirement for Constitutional Amendments and Ballot Initiatives Measure (2022)  source	Oppose	Defeated
Maine Question 2, Prohibit Foreign Spending in Elections Initiative (2023)  source	Support	Approved
Michigan Proposal 2, Voting Policies in Constitution Amendment (2022)  source	Support	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 434, Prohibit Abortions After the First Trimester Amendment (2024)  source	Oppose	Approved
Nebraska Initiative 439, Right to Abortion Initiative (2024)  source	Support	Defeated
Ohio Issue 1, 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure (2023)  source	Oppose	Defeated

Finances

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Inc.

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center financial data 2015-2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2023	$4.8 million	$3.2 million
2022	$2.3 million	$3.3 million
2021	$4.8 million	$2.4 million
2020	$2.0 million	$1.9 million
2019	$1.3 million	$1.9 million
2018	$2.1 million	$2.2 million
2017	$1.8 million	$1.8 million
2016	$2.0 million	$1.7 million
2015	$1.9 million	$1.4 million

According to their 2007 Form 990, the revenue of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Inc. was $923,606. By 2014, the organization's revenue had increased to $1,197,531 and its expenditures totaled to $1,072,417.

BISC Inc. revenue by year, 2011-2014
Year	Revenue
2014	$1,197,531
2013	$1,047,114
2012	$1,753,047
2011	$1,136,928

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation

The following is a breakdown of Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation's revenues and expenses from 2015 to 2023. The information comes from ProPublica

Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation financial data 2014-2023

Year	Revenue	Expenses
2023	$5.4 million	$2.4 million
2022	$2.9 million	$2.1 million
2021	$2.2 million	$1.3 million
2020	$1.4 million	$1.1 million
2019	$0.8 million	$0.8 million
2018	$0.5 million	$1.0 million
2017	$0.6 million	$1.0 million
2016	$1.3 million	$1.0 million
2015	$1.3 million	$0.7 million
2014	$1.0 million	$1.1 million

According to the Capital Research Center, "The BISC Foundation had revenues of about $202,000 in 2006. In the prior two years, the Foundation received substantial grants from billionaire George Soros and his Open Society Institute, the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) and the far-left Washington, D.C.-based Arca Foundation. At least 15 grants totaling $510,073 went to the BISC Foundation since its creation in 1999." According to the organization's 2007 990 form, the group's revenue was $203,169. By 2014, the foundation's income was $999,885 and its expenditures totaled to $1,055,542.

BISC Foundation revenue by year, 2011-2014
Year	Revenue
2014	$999,885
2013	$1,270,552
2012	$599,064
2011	$678,950

Support from Open Society Foundations

See also: Open Society Foundations

BISC received a grant for $200,000 from the Open Society Foundations in 2008.

See also

• What is an influencer?
• PACs and Super PACS
• Political action committee
• Super PAC
• Federal Election Commission
• Democracy Alliance
• Open Society Foundations
• George Soros

External links

• BISC official website
• BISC on Facebook
• BISC on Twitter