New Bridge Strategy is delighted to congratulate the fourteen ballot measure campaigns we assisted this year. All fourteen measures, across three states, were successful despite a pandemic and economic uncertainty. We are so very pleased to have helped lay the successful foundation for these efforts by conducting strategic research that helped craft ballot language, frame the issues, and test messages to motivate and persuade voters. As one of our clients told us, “we could not have achieved such broad-based success without your expertise and assistance crafting the (ballot) question.”
Our clients’ efforts will mean that various Colorado communities will avoid devastating budget cuts. Their successful campaigns will also mean clean drinking water and healthy rivers, enhanced roads and infrastructure, a better education for K-12 students, more firefighters, and more funding for parks and restoration of natural areas across the country.
Some of these tax increase successes were especially remarkable given their overwhelming pass rates in more “red” or conservative parts of the country. For example, the Colorado River District’s property tax increase succeeded with 72% of the vote and Proposal 1 in Michigan (one of the most politically divided states) to fund parks won with 84% support. One of the closest measures we worked on, the reintroduction of wolves onto public lands in our home state of Colorado, won by a bare majority with 50.5% of the electorate voting yes. The research was the critical initial step in a first of its kind proposal and was the basis of a four-year campaign.
Congratulations to all of our clients on their successes this election cycle! We are honored to have stood “on the bridge” with all of you!