Before the Ballot Initiative: A Checklist of Key Components for Successful Issue Campaigns

1. Before the Ballot Initiative:A Checklist of Key Components for Successful Issue Campaigns 2007 Transit Initiatives Conference Austin, TX

2. BISC’s Mission • Help defeat right-wing initiatives • Help develop proactive initiative strategies to advance progressive values • Help create permanent progressive state “tables” around ballot initiatives to build political infrastructure in multiple states • Connect advocates and political veterans across state and issue lines

3. Our method: How BISC works with partners. 1. BISC assesses the impact of initiatives on the political landscape, meets with the groups on the ground, and holds strategy discussions. 2. BISC determines the priority of the campaign in relation to other targets, and how it can be helpful. • 3. If BISC chooses to • support the campaign, • it provides tailored • help : • Staff training • Message support • Lessons learned • Donor advisement

4. Our method: How BISC works with partners. 4. BISC continuously keeps national organizations apprised of the campaign’s progress, and looks for ways to nationalize the campaign with both media and progressive allies. 5. BISC assists in achieving campaign objectives on election day and beyond. > Policy goals > Wider electoral goals > Lasting political infrastructure 6. BISC assesses the campaign impact with post-election research on turnout, narrative framing, and other key political effects.

5. 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)

6. Key Components of a Successful Campaign • 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 • The plan is specific • Lack of specificity allows the opposition to frame the debate to their advantage and gives voters an out

7. Key Components of a Successful Campaign • The opposition has been consciously minimized • Through the structure of the package • 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

8. Key Components of a Successful Campaign • 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

9. Key Components of a Successful Campaign • Votes to win are estimated and constantly assessed • Must develop a person-to-person field plan • Volunteers necessary • Plan, plan, plan EARLY • Get strategy in writing • An 18-month lead time is NOT too early • Some issues are multi-year campaigns