DOCSLIB.ORG

Successful Citizens' Initiatives

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Successful Citizens' Initiatives Successful Citizens’ Initiatives A Guide to Winning Local Land-Use Ballot Measure Campaigns 2002 Edition 631 Howard St., Ste. 510, San Francisco, CA 94105 www.greenbelt.org Table of Contents Executive Summary………………………………………………………………4 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 7 Getting Started Deciding to Pursue a Ballot Strategy ....................................................... 7 First Steps................................................................................................. 9 Establishing Timelines ............................................................................. 9 Community Outreach & Building the Leadership Group ...................... 11 Steering Committee................................................................... 11 Coalition.................................................................................... 12 Campaign Structure................................................................................ 12 Campaign Manager ................................................................... 12 Treasurer ................................................................................... 12 Fundraising Chair...................................................................... 13 Outreach Coordinator................................................................ 13 Spokesperson............................................................................. 13 Other Roles................................................................................ 13 Outside Consultants................................................................... 13 Accountability........................................................................... 14 Establishing the Formal Committee....................................................... 14 Filing the Statement of Organization Form............................... 14 Opening a Bank Account .......................................................... 15 Other Types of Committees ...................................................... 15 Qualifying the Measure Drafting the Measure.............................................................................. 16 Filing the Petition................................................................................... 17 Publishing the Notice of Intent.................................................. 19 Petitions.................................................................................................. 19 Printing the Petition................................................................... 19 Determining the Number of Signatures Needed ....................... 21 Running a Signature Gathering Drive.................................................... 21 Signature Gathering Goals ........................................................ 21 Signature Gathering Locations.................................................. 22 Requirements of Signature Gatherers........................................ 22 How to Gather Signatures ......................................................... 22 Tracking Progress...................................................................... 23 Submitting & Verifying the Signatures.................................................. 23 Ballot Arguments ................................................................................... 24 Proponents’ Statement............................................................... 24 Rebuttals.................................................................................... 25 Election Rules Record Keeping...................................................................................... 25 Contributions............................................................................. 25 In-kind Donations...................................................................... 26 Loans......................................................................................... 27 Miscellaneous Income............................................................... 27 Expenses.................................................................................... 27 Unpaid Bills .............................................................................. 28 Mass Mailings ........................................................................... 28 2 Campaign Contribution Reporting......................................................... 28 Terminating the Formal Campaign Committee......................... 29 Common Reporting Errors........................................................ 30 Options and Requirements for Charitable Organizations....................... 30 Expenses Prior to Signature Gathering ..................................... 32 Expenses During Signature Gathering & Beyond..................... 32 Fundraising & Loans................................................................. 33 The Campaign Public Opinion Research........................................................................ 25 Opinion Poll .............................................................................. 33 Focus Groups ............................................................................ 34 Tracking Polls ........................................................................... 34 Campaign Plan .......................................................................... 35 Outline of a Typical Campaign Plan:..................................................... 35 Sample Organization Chart ....................................................... 38 Sample Countywide Campaign Budget .................................... 39 Sample Gift Table ..................................................................... 41 Fundraising............................................................................................. 43 Putting Together the Initial Plan ............................................... 43 Raising the Money .................................................................... 43 Individual Meetings................................................................... 43 Targeting ................................................................................................ 44 Using the Poll to Decide Strategy ............................................. 45 Win Scenario............................................................................. 46 Developing Message .............................................................................. 46 Volunteer Recruitment ........................................................................... 47 Reaching Voters ..................................................................................... 48 Direct Mail ................................................................................ 48 Purchasing Voter Files .............................................................. 49 Radio ......................................................................................... 49 Print Ads.................................................................................... 50 TV Ads...................................................................................... 50 Phone Banks.............................................................................. 50 Doorbelling ............................................................................... 51 Visibility.................................................................................... 52 Speakers Bureau........................................................................ 52 Free Media.............................................................................................. 53 Editorials ................................................................................... 53 Guest Editorials......................................................................... 53 Letters to the Editor................................................................... 53 Press Events .............................................................................. 53 Talk Radio................................................................................. 54 Public Forums ........................................................................... 54 Working with Reporters............................................................ 54 Conclusion ................................................................................................... 55 Appendix A: Campaign Timeline Worksheet Appendix B: Useful Contact Information .......................................................... 56 Appendix C: FPPC Approved Campaign Disclosure Software Vendor ............ 59 Appendix D: Sample Houseparty Fundraising Materials................................... 60 Appendix E: List of Bay Area Campaign Vendors…………………………….58 Appendix F: Sample Campaign Plan and Calendar……………………………63 3 Executive Summary Ballot initiatives have been extremely effective tools for preserving open space and controlling suburban sprawl in the Bay Area. Greenbelt Alliance has been involved in land-use ballot measure campaigns since the 1960s; over the years Greenbelt Alliance has learned many valuable lessons about the process of developing and winning citizen-based open space and anti-sprawl campaigns. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for professional campaign or legal advice—but it does lay out clear steps for citizens to take in contemplating, developing and winning local ballot initiative campaigns. This guide divides the components of a typical ballot initiative campaign into four sections:
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nonprofit Security Grant Program Threat Incident Report
    Nonprofit Security Grant Program Threat Incident Report: January 2019 to Present November 15, 2020 (Updated 02/22/2021) Prepared By: Rob Goldberg, Senior Director, Legislative Affairs [email protected] The following is a compilation of recent threat incidents, at home or abroad, targeting Jews and Jewish institutions (and other faith-based organization) that have been reported in the public record. When completing the Threat section of the IJ (Part III. Risk): ▪ First Choice: Describe specific terror (or violent homegrown extremist) incidents, threats, hate crimes, and/or related vandalism, trespass, intimidation, or destruction of property that have targeted its property, membership, or personnel. This may also include a specific event or circumstance that impacted an affiliate or member of the organization’s system or network. ▪ Second Choice: Report on known incidents/threats that have occurred in the community and/or State where the organization is located. ▪ Third Choice: Reference the public record regarding incidents/threats against similar or like institutions at home or abroad. Since there is limited working space in the IJ, the sub-applicant should be selective in choosing appropriate examples to incorporate into the response: events that are most recent, geographically proximate, and closely related to their type or circumstance of their organization or are of such magnitude or breadth that they create a significant existential threat to the Jewish community at large. I. Overview of Recent Federal Risk Assessments of National Significance Summary The following assessments underscore the persistent threat of lethal violence and hate crimes against the Jewish community and other faith- and community-based institutions in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • OPENING PANDORA's BOX David Cameron's Referendum Gamble On
    OPENING PANDORA’S BOX David Cameron’s Referendum Gamble on EU Membership Credit: The Economist. By Christina Hull Yale University Department of Political Science Adviser: Jolyon Howorth April 21, 2014 Abstract This essay examines the driving factors behind UK Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to call a referendum if the Conservative Party is re-elected in 2015. It addresses the persistence of Euroskepticism in the United Kingdom and the tendency of Euroskeptics to generate intra-party conflict that often has dire consequences for Prime Ministers. Through an analysis of the relative impact of political strategy, the power of the media, and British public opinion, the essay argues that addressing party management and electoral concerns has been the primary influence on David Cameron’s decision and contends that Cameron has unwittingly unleashed a Pandora’s box that could pave the way for a British exit from the European Union. Acknowledgments First, I would like to thank the Bates Summer Research Fellowship, without which I would not have had the opportunity to complete my research in London. To Professor Peter Swenson and the members of The Senior Colloquium, Gabe Botelho, Josh Kalla, Gabe Levine, Mary Shi, and Joel Sircus, who provided excellent advice and criticism. To Professor David Cameron, without whom I never would have discovered my interest in European politics. To David Fayngor, who flew halfway across the world to keep me company during my summer research. To my mom for her unwavering support and my dad for his careful proofreading. And finally, to my adviser Professor Jolyon Howorth, who worked with me on this project for over a year and a half.
    [Show full text]
  • Tennessee Mayors Growing Civic Engagement
    J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 0 tennessee mayors growing civic engagement H O W L O C A L L E A D E R S C A N L E V E R A G E T H E I R O F F I C E T O E N G A G E V O T E R S introduction For over a decade, Tennessee has consistently trailed most other states in voter registration and turnout. Participation in local elections is particularly low: Voter turnout fell below 25 percent in recent elections in our state's four largest cities. As a state with a proud civic history, Tennessee has an important opportunity to examine practices, from election administration to civic engagement, that may offer room for improvement. Systemic reforms, such as policies that modernize and secure election machines and voter- registration databases, are critical, but so too are efforts that better connect voters to their communities and elected representatives. Although state leaders, election officials, community groups and individual residents all have roles to play, city and county mayors are uniquely suited to promote civic engagement at the community level. This report highlights Tennessee Mayors Growing Civic Engagment (TMGCE), a new cohort of city and county mayors who collectively committed to making civic engagement a priority in their communities. Within these pages, readers will learn why mayors are well-placed to lead civic engagement efforts, be able to review specific examples from the participating Tennessee leaders and have access to tools and templates to build a civic-engagement action plan all their own.
    [Show full text]
  • Firing Lines April/May 2014 Fighting for Your Second Amendment Rights Since 1965
    SCOPE, inc. Volume XXIII, Issue III Firing Lines April/May 2014 Fighting for your Second Amendment Rights since 1965 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: SCOPE is growing SCOPE Chapter and BoD Information 2 ————————————————————————— Operation P.A.C. 3 to Meet the Challenges ————————————————————————— SAFE Axt charges 3 ————————————————————————— You don’t get fat 4 ————————————————————————— By Stephen Aldstadt full fledged chapter status, and we have NY Senator Maziarz 5 ————————————————————————— added new committees in Steuben and Project Appleseed 6 SCOPE's mission to protect and ————————–————————————————- Schuyler Counties. We expect by the time of Check your address label 7 preserve the right to keep and bear arms here this printing we will have graduated the ————————————————————————— SCOPE voter app 7 in New York is vital to preserving all of our Chautauqua County committee to a full ————————————————————————— civil rights. Once the Second Amendment is Rat Tat Tat Cartoon 7 fledged chapter and we will have an operat- ————————–————————————————- gone the rest will surely follow. With the ing committee in Chemung County. SCOPE member clubs 8 ————————–————————————————- passage of the NY SAFE Act, New York's We have a larger job than we have Legal defense fund 9 ————————–————————————————- ranking in the Freedom Index went from ever been burdened with before. We will SCOPE member clubs 8 ————————————————————————— dead last to dead last and not even close. need to continue our growth in membership Legal defense fund 9 It is imperative that we work to push ————————————————————————— to meet the challenge. We will need to under- DEC meeting 10 back this law. It will not be easy. It will not take a massive voter registration drive to ———————————————————————--—- Cartoon 12 happen quickly.
    [Show full text]
  • Justice Sandra Day O'connor: the World's Most Powerful Jurist?
    JUSTICE SANDRA DAY O'CONNOR: THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL JURIST? DIANE LOWENTHAL AND BARBARA PALMER* I. INTRODUCTION Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has been called a "major force on [the] Supreme Court,"' the "real" Chief Justice, 2 and "America's most powerful jurist."' 3 Others have referred to her as "the most 5 powerful woman in America" 4 and even of "the world.", Even compared to women like Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton, there is no one "who has had a more profound effect on society than any other American woman... If someone else had been appointed to her position on the court, our nation might now be living under different rules for abortion, affirmative action, race, religion in school and civil rights. We might well have a different president." 6 Former Acting Solicitor General Walter Dellinger noted, "What is most striking is the assurance with which this formerly obscure state court judge effectively decides many hugely important questions for a country of 275 million people.",7 As one journalist put it, "We are all living in * Diane Lowenthal, Ph.D. in Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University and Barbara Palmer, Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Minnesota, are assistant professors in American University's Washington Semester Program. The authors would like to thank their undergraduate research assistants, Amy Bauman, Nick Chapman-Hushek, and Amanda White. This paper was presented at October 28, 2004 Town Hall The Sway of the Swing Vote: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Her Influence on Issues of Race, Religion, Gender and Class sponsored by the University of Maryland Law Journal of Race, Religion, Gender and Class and the Women, Leadership and Equality Program.
    [Show full text]
  • Labour's Next Majority Means Winning Over Conservative Voters but They Are Not Likely to Be the Dominant Source of The
    LABOUR’S NEXT MAJORITY THE 40% STRATEGY Marcus Roberts LABOUR’S The 40% There will be voters who go to the polls on 6th May 2015 who weren’t alive strategy when Tony and Cherie Blair posed outside 10 Downing Street on 1st May NEXT 1997. They will have no memory of an event which is a moment of history as distant from them as Margaret Thatcher’s 1979 election victory was for the voters of 1997. If Ed Miliband seeks to emulate what Blair did in 1997, he too must build his own political majority for the era in which he seeks to govern. MAJORITY This report sets out a plausible strategy for Labour’s next majority, one that is secured through winning 40 per cent of the popular vote in May 2015, despite the challenges of a fragmenting electorate. It also challenges the Marcus Roberts party at all levels to recognise that the 40 per cent strategy for a clear majority in 2015 will require a different winning formula to that which served New Labour so well a generation ago, but which is past its sell-by date in a different political and economic era. A FABIAN REPORT ISBN 978 0 7163 7004 8 ABOUT THE FABIAN SOCIETY The Fabian Society is Britain’s oldest political think tank. Since 1884 the society has played a central role in developing political ideas and public policy on the left. It aims to promote greater equality of wealth, power and opportunity; the value of collective public action; a vibrant, tolerant and accountable democracy; citizenship, liberty and human rights; sustainable development; and multilateral international cooperation.
    [Show full text]
  • Model Sign Ordinance a Comprehensive, Content-Neutral Approach to Local Sign Control
    Prepared by the Montgomery County Planning Commission A comprehensive, content-neutral approach to local sign control NewModel town Sign mixed Ordinance use district Montgomery County Commissioners Josh Shapiro, Chair Leslie S. Richards, Vice Chair Bruce L. Castor, Jr. MMontgomeryontgomery County Planning Commission Board Marc D. Jonas, Esq., Chair Dulcie F. Flaharty, Vice Chair Robert E. Blue, Jr. Jill Blumhardt Scott Exley Roy Rodriguez, Jr. Charles J. Tornetta Pastor John West Rachel Yoka Jody L. Holton, AICP, Executive Director Model Sign Ordinance A comprehensive, content-neutral approach to local sign control Prepared by the Montgomery County Planning Commission 2014 introduction ii model sign ordinance Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ vii Hot Topics in Signage Reference Guide ................................................................................ix Part 1: Purpose of Signs ............................................................................................................. 1 Part 2: Community Impact of Signs Safety Issues .......................................................................................................................... 9 Public Welfare and Aesthetics Issues .................................................................................. 10 Environmental Issues ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Volume XXIX No. 1 October 2016 Our Thanks to Edward Price, NYSRSAS Educafion Chair
    Volume XXIX No. 1 October 2016 NYSRSAS PROCESS FOR ENDORSEMENT: 2016 With the election only a few weeks away, most people are focused on the presidential campaigns. Nev- ertheless, there are important contests for the US Senate and House of Representatives and New York State Sen- ate and Assembly. While the outcome of the presidential race is certainly critical, our state and national legisla- tors will be required to make decisions that impact the future for us and our children. Members of the NYSRSAS Executive Board realize that we all vote based upon a variety of factors. How- ever, there are a number of key issues involving retired people and public education that we believe should be considered in making a final decision. Therefore we decided it would be worthwhile to contact candidates for both federal and state positions to obtain their views on the following questions. We know that not all of our members vote in New York State. Since it was not feasible to contact candidates elsewhere, we encourage those who vote in other areas to consider these same issues when deciding their votes this November. Questions to candidates for President, US Senator, and US House of Representatives: Do you support the continuation of Medicare in its present form? If not, what would you change? Increase benefits. Shift costs to people with higher incomes through increased premiums and co-pays. Substitute with a voucher plan. Other. Do you support allowing the federal government to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices? Do you support continuation of Social Security in its present form? If not, what would you change? Privatization.
    [Show full text]
  • The Politics of Water Fluoridation from a Problem Definition Perspective
    1 THE POLITICS OF WATER FLUORIDATION FROM A PROBLEM DEFINITION PERSPECTIVE A dissertation presented by Robyn Olson to The Department of Political Science In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the field of Public and International Affairs Northeastern University Boston, MA November, 2008 2 Abstract The Politics of Water Fluoridation from a Problem Definition Perspective Community water fluoridation has been controversial since it was first proposed more than 60 years ago. Proponents of fluoridation state that it is a safe and cost- effective method of solving a public health problem while opponents question its safety and effectiveness and whether it is a legitimate function of government. Most decisions regarding water fluoridation reside at the local level. In MA, the current law allows the local board of health to order water fluoridation. The law stipulates that within 90 days of public notice opponents can submit a petition with the signatures of 10% of the registered voters in the community, in which case a referendum would be held. Very often a referendum is held and more than half of the time and with little predictability the order is overturned. Several explanations have been offered including demographic determinism, the structure of the city government and alienation however none of these are fully explanatory. This paper examines fluoridation decisions from a problem definition perspective which purports that the way problems are defined and framed in public discourse has an impact on decision outcomes. To examine the extent that problem definition principles contribute to fluoridation decisions comparative case studies were utilized.
    [Show full text]
  • The Swing Vote and the Attitudinal Model of the Supreme Court: Explaining Ideological Shift in the Court Over Time
    The Swing Vote and the Attitudinal Model of the Supreme Court: Explaining Ideological Shift in the Court Over Time Patrick D. Shushereba ABSTRACT The decisions of the Court are partially grounded in the ideology of the justices themselves, which is the attitudinal model of the Court. I argue that the swing vote justice on the Supreme Court has a substantial effect in determining the ideological direction of the Court over time. If the attitudinal model of the Court is correct, then the swing vote justice on the Court has a disproportionate amount of influence on the direction of the Court over time. I examine the influence of the swing vote justices on the Court since 1981. This project analyzes the voting behavior of two specific justices, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the swing vote on the Rehnquist Court and Justice Anthony Kennedy, the swing vote justice on the Roberts Court. Previous literature has identified the swing vote justice, but only to determine how powerful that justice is relative to the other justices on the Court. My manuscript not only establishes the swing vote justice and the power that they wield on the Court, but also determines how that power is sustained over time. This manuscript examines 5-4 Supreme Court decisions since O’Connor’s appointment to analyze O’Connor’s role as the swing vote, and determine the extent to which her political ideology as defined under the attitudinal model aligns with the direction of the Supreme Court during her tenure. I also look at the 5-4 decisions since Justice Kennedy joined the Court to determine his role on the Court during the period that Kennedy and O’Connor served concurrently, as well as Kennedy’s position as the swing vote since O’Connor’s departure.
    [Show full text]
  • Swing States, the Winner-Take-All Electoral College, and Fiscal Federalism
    Munich Personal RePEc Archive Swing States, The Winner-Take-All Electoral College, and Fiscal Federalism Duquette, Christopher and Mixon, Franklin and Cebula, Richard The MITRE Corporation, Columbus State University, Jaclsonville University 9 February 2013 Online at https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/55423/ MPRA Paper No. 55423, posted 27 Apr 2014 01:16 UTC Swing States, the Winner-Take-All Electoral College, and Fiscal Federalism by Christopher M. Duquettea, Franklin G. Mixon, Jr.b, and Richard J. Cebulac a The MITRE Corporation, McLean, VA 22102 – USA; b D. Abbott Turner College of Business, Columbus State University, Columbus, GA 31907 – USA; c Davis College of Business, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL 32211 – U.SA. Corresponding Author: Richard J. Cebula, Davis College of Business, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FGL 32211 – USA. PH: 912-656-2997; FAX: 904-256-7467. E-mail: dr.richardcebula@gmailcom Abstract. There is a debate regarding the impact of swing or independent voters in American politics. While some argue that swing voters either do not swing or have a marginal impact on campaigns, the decline in voter partisan identification and the rise of independents means that they have a potential impact on elections, making them a desirable commodity to candidates. Additionally, presidential elections represent a unique case for swing voters. A robust literature notes that during the presidential primary and caucus process, voters in states such as Iowa or New Hampshire effectively have a greater voice in the election than those in other states. This is due to the number of voters in these states, and the strategic importance of having their primaries and caucuses positioned at the beginning of the presidential selection process.
    [Show full text]
  • Hearing Unit Cover and Text
    Public Hearing before ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE Assembly Concurrent Resolution 205 LOCATION: Committee Room 11 DATE: December 13, 2018 State House Annex 11:00 a.m. Trenton, New Jersey MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE PRESENT: Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, Chair Assemblywoman Carol A. Murphy, Vice Chair Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson Assemblyman William W. Spearman Assemblyman Michael Patrick Carroll Assemblywoman Nancy F. Muñoz ALSO PRESENT: Miriam Bavati Sarita Welsh Brian Quigley Matthew Gould Office of Legislative Services Assembly Majority Assembly Republican Committee Aides Committee Aide Committee Aide Hearing Recorded and Transcribed by The Office of Legislative Services, Public Information Office, Hearing Unit, State House Annex, PO 068, Trenton, New Jersey TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Assemblyman Jon M. Bramnick District 21 7 Katherine R. Abbott Representing League of Women Voters of New Jersey 13 Mary Alosio President League of Women Voters-Mountain Lakes 14 Nhu-Uyen “Winn” Khuong Executive Director and Co-Founder Action Together New Jersey 14 Nancy Hedinger President League of Women Voters of New Jersey 28 Jill Rhodes Private Citizen 29 Sandra Matsen Volunteer Legislative Agent League of Women Voters of New Jersey 32 Susan M. Blubaugh Private Citizen 38 Marco Palladino Private Citizen 39 Cindy Matute-Brown Member Steering Committee Essex Rising 40 Patrick Murray Director Monmouth University Polling Institute Monmouth University 42 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page Dave Pringle Representing Clean Water Action 45 Ronald K. Chen, Esq. Professor Center for Law and Justice Rutgers School of Law Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey-Newark, and Member Board of Trustees American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of New Jersey 45 Barry Brendel Chairman Our Revolution New Jersey 46 Chané Jones, Esq.
    [Show full text]