In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian speak with Jo Giles, Executive Director of the Women’s Fund of Omaha, about what happens after voters approve a ballot measure. Jo reflects on Nebraska’s successful 2024 paid sick leave initiative, the legislative changes that later reduced its reach, and the campaign to protect voter approved policies through Respect Nebraska Voters. She discusses the legal challenge that kept the measure off the 2026 ballot, the role of coalitions and impacted communities, and why implementation is a critical part of direct democracy. Jo also shares lessons for organizers working to defend voter power and build long term movements rooted in community.

To learn more about Jo Giles and Women’s Fund of Omaha, visit: https://www.omahawomensfund.org/
To learn more about the ‘Respect Nebraska Voters’ ballot initiative, visit: https://respectnevoters.org/

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo and Caroline Sanchez-Avakian speak with Sarah Flowers, partner at 76 Words, about how ballot measure campaigns build media strategies that reach and persuade voters. Sarah explains how paid and earned media should work together, why campaigns need to understand their vote goals and persuadable audiences, and how research can guide messaging without replacing human judgment. They also discuss authentic storytelling, supporting campaign messengers, responding to misinformation, using AI and digital tools, assessing ads in real time, and current anti-trans ballot measure campaigns.

To learn more about Sarah Flowers and 76 Words visit: https://76words.com/
To learn more about BISC’s Voter Attitudes + Engagement Research, visit: https://ballot.org/research/

• Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠⁠

• Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠⁠

• BISC Official Website:⁠⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠⁠

• BISC on Instagram:⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠⁠

• BISC on LinkedIn:⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center

In this episode of Direct Democracy Diaries, Chris and Caroline speak with Jeremy Al-Haj, co-founder and executive director of the Missouri Workers’ Center, about Missouri’s “Year of No” and what defensive campaigns can teach organizers about building lasting power. Jeremy traces his path into organizing, explains how ballot measures have become a critical tool for working-class Missourians, and discusses recent fights over direct democracy, taxes, reproductive rights, and redistricting. The conversation explores how long-term relationships, durable coalitions, and organizing across local and state campaigns can turn defensive victories into the foundation for a future “Year of Yes."

Learn more about the Missouri Workers Center and its work building a multiracial movement of working people across Missouri: https://moworkers.org/

Learn more about BISC and the ballot measures to watch in this year’s election on our Ballot Measure Hub:
https://ballot.org/ballot-hub/

• Chris Melody Fields Figueiredo on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-melody-fields⁠

• Caroline Sánchez-Avakian on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolineavakian⁠

• BISC Official Website:⁠ https://ballot.org/⁠

• BISC on Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/ballotstrategy/⁠

• BISC on LinkedIn:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ballot-initiative-strategy-center