Fairness Project

A major attack on direct democracy is happening in states across the country today. Since the start of 2025, legislators in over 15 states have introduced 100+ bills attacking the ballot measure process in an effort to stop voters from having their voices heard at the ballot box. Ballot measures allow working people to make changes even when politicians fail to represent their interests, and now legislators are trying to take that power away. “Voters are paying attention to this widespread attack on their constitutional rights, and they’re fighting back,” said Kelly Hall, Executive Director of the Fairness Project, vowing to continue fighting ballot measure attacks nationwide. You can learn more about these attacks on direct democracy and our work at The Fairness Project at our website: https://lnkd.in/eSnckzNQ

??LEGISLATIVE ARLERT??Nearly 60% of Nebraskans voted to raise the minimum wage — and to automatically adjust it for cost of living increases starting in 2027. Now lawmakers are trying to overturn the will of the voters. LB258 would weaken Nebraska’s minimum wage law by carving out a subminimum wage for workers under the age of 18 AND restricting the cost of living increases that Nebraskans voted for. Nebraskans can contact their representatives right now to protect the state’s minimum wage and OPPOSE LB 258: bit.ly/NO_LB258

Today we are THRILLED to announce our new Ballot Measure Leadership Corps, an initiative to cultivate and sustain elite campaign talent for ballot measures across the country. We’re starting off with 6 leaders who led major ballot measure campaigns in the last election. The Ballot Measure Leadership Corps will identify and invest in top-tier campaign managers and senior staff in order to bridge the gaps between election cycles, a time during which experienced leaders often end up unemployed just when new campaigns could most use their expertise. The program aims to bolster the long-term success of progressive campaign infrastructure by ensuring that the best talent remains engaged, supported, and ready to deploy for the next fights. The 2025 class of Ballot Measure Leaders includes a veritable who’s who from the front lines of 2024 ballot measure campaigns: -Laura Dent, Campaign Manager, Arizona for Abortion Access -Rachel Sweet, Campaign Manager, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom -Lauren Brenzel, Campaign Manager, Floridians Protecting Freedom -Lucy Sedgwick, Senior Advisor, Floridians Protecting Freedom -Taylor Aguilera, Organizing Director, Floridians Protecting Freedom -Allie Berry, Campaign Manager, Protect Our Rights Learn more about the 2025 Leadership Corps at https://lnkd.in/eibUqHJ6

This is what we can do when we put decisions like minimum wage increases in front of voters. We look forward to continuing to bring about change through ballot measures.

When we put decisions in the hands of voters through ballot measures, they can have a huge impact. It’s like our executive director Kelly Hall said before the election: “If you can put it on the ballot, people love to vote for a raise.” https://lnkd.in/eV9TAaFj

“We won in some of the deepest red, most conservative places in our country. We won against vehement opposition and politicians who tried to stack the odds in their favor,” said Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project. “And we won on issues like abortion, paid leave, and raising the minimum wage—issues politicians have failed to advance for their constituents for decades.” https://lnkd.in/eTpBswQ7

It has been an incredibly challenging and rewarding year. Thanks to our ballot measure wins, more than 1 million people have newly guaranteed #PaidSickLeave and nearly 8 million people will get raises. Since 2016, the Fairness Project has been a driving force for #EconomicJustice, improving the lives of working people across the nation, and we’re not stopping any time soon. Here are two key accomplishments we are incredibly proud of: -16 campaigns won to raise the #MinimumWage and secure paid sick leave for workers -$22 billion+ in higher wages delivered directly into the pockets of working people Our organization has proven year after year that we know how to win progressive policies with conservative electorates. We’ve won 39 campaigns, almost entirely in red and purple states. We are not intimidated by this political moment and we are not slowing down.

23 states are going to see a higher minimum wage next year. At The Fairness Project, we are so proud to have supported workers rights ballot measures, this election cycle and beyond.

Need something to look forward to next year? #PaidSickLeave will be implemented in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska in 2025 after voters approved workers rights ballot measures in all three states.

Missouri’s minimum wage will get an increase in less than a month, on January 1. This is thanks to the hard work of organizers who got a workers rights ballot measure in front of voters, who overwhelmingly supported a higher minimum wage. #MinimumWage #MoPol #BallotMeasures #BallotInitiatives #WorkersRights #DirectDemocracy