By: Nathaniel J. Greene, Community & Culture Reporter

In an illuminating Ethnic Media Services briefing held on Friday, Nov. 22, leading voices in health equity and public policy underscored the critical role of state ballot measures in driving transformative change. Panelists shared compelling insights about how these measures empower communities to address health inequities, safeguard reproductive rights, and push for fair labor laws—even as legislative threats to restrict such access grow.

The Power of Direct Democracy

Avenel Joseph, Interim Executive Vice President at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), emphasized the pivotal link between ballot measures and public health.

“Ballot measures are a form of direct democracy,” Joseph explained. “They give voters the ability to make meaningful change on issues that matter most—issues often overlooked by state legislatures.”

Highlighting the transformative impact of recent initiatives, Joseph cited examples such as Medicaid expansion and minimum wage increases, stating, “These policies have provided opportunities for communities impacted by structural oppression to have a direct say in their futures.”

Missouri: A Case Study in Progress

Richard Von Glahn, Political Director of Missouri Jobs with Justice, shared how his organization leveraged ballot measures to champion workers’ rights. Missouri recently passed initiatives to raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2026 and guarantee paid sick leave for all workers.

“Hardworking people shouldn’t have to choose between their health and a paycheck,” said Von Glahn. He also spotlighted local activist Terrence Wise, who declared, “We are all worthy of having what we need to not just survive, but to thrive.”

Von Glahn recounted the story of Fran Marion, a Kansas City mother who had to leave her sick child to work. “No parent should face that choice,” he remarked, highlighting the emotional toll of economic instability on families.

Rising Threats to Ballot Measures

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, Executive Director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Foundation, warned about the increasing hostility toward ballot measures from state legislatures and special interest groups.

“Efforts to restrict access are deliberate attempts to silence communities and stifle progress,” Fields said.

She pointed to Florida as a cautionary tale, where a law requiring a 60% majority caused an abortion access measure to fail despite majority support.

“Raising thresholds and confusing ballot language are among the tactics used to weaken this vital tool of democracy,” she added.

A Call to Action

The panelists collectively stressed the urgency of defending ballot measures as a pathway to health equity and justice. Joseph concluded with a powerful statement: “Protecting the ballot measure process is not just about policy; it’s about ensuring that everyone—regardless of race, gender, or income—has the right to thrive.”

As challenges to direct democracy intensify, these voices remind us of the stakes: preserving a system where voters can meaningfully shape their communities and futures.