1 00:00:11,760 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: Good morning, peeps, and welcome to wok ev Daily with 2 00:00:15,160 --> 00:00:19,479 Speaker 1: Meet Your Girl Danielle Moody, recording from the Home Bunker. 3 00:00:22,239 --> 00:00:25,560 Speaker 1: I really hope that this week will be better than 4 00:00:27,040 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: the last few weeks. I don't know about you, but 5 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:35,000 Speaker 1: I walk into these Mondays these days extraordinarily exhausted and 6 00:00:35,440 --> 00:00:39,559 Speaker 1: just depleted and wondering what fresh hell is going to 7 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:43,400 Speaker 1: be waiting for us at the end of another week. 8 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,520 Speaker 1: But I will say this, I'm excited about today's conversation. 9 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: We welcome back to the show Executive director Chris Melody 10 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 1: Fields Figuredo from the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center to talk 11 00:00:55,880 --> 00:01:01,240 Speaker 1: about some good things that are happening that we don't 12 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:05,559 Speaker 1: hear a lot about, which are the ballot initiatives around 13 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:09,240 Speaker 1: abortion that folks are going to be voting on around 14 00:01:09,319 --> 00:01:12,560 Speaker 1: the country this November. That they will not only be 15 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:18,040 Speaker 1: voting for who is in control of the executive branch, 16 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: but also whether or not, in states that have banned 17 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 1: abortion outright, if they will go back to a place 18 00:01:26,080 --> 00:01:29,600 Speaker 1: of bodily autonomy. And I think that it's really critical 19 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:32,880 Speaker 1: for us to understand the importance of ballot measures and 20 00:01:32,959 --> 00:01:37,839 Speaker 1: why they matter. We've seen in such places like Ohio 21 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: when it's Wisconsin and Kentucky, in places that put up 22 00:01:41,880 --> 00:01:45,480 Speaker 1: ballot initiatives which require a certain amount of signatures right 23 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: to be vetted and seen to restore abortion to the people. 24 00:01:51,080 --> 00:01:54,800 Speaker 1: What the Supreme Court did you know a couple of 25 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,480 Speaker 1: years ago when they overturn Roe v. Wade was set 26 00:01:59,040 --> 00:02:04,360 Speaker 1: a fire this country and precedent and what we thought 27 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 1: to be true. They have been reimagining this country, one 28 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:14,240 Speaker 1: decision at a time, and ballot measures allow the people 29 00:02:14,639 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 1: to take some power back. And so in my conversation today, 30 00:02:20,120 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: we get into a conversation about the fundamentals around democracy, 31 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 1: why ballot initiatives matter, and what is at stake, as 32 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: if we all don't know each and every pressing day. 33 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,359 Speaker 1: Each day that we get closer to November, I tell 34 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:38,000 Speaker 1: you that the not inside of my stomach grows by 35 00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:42,120 Speaker 1: the day. But it's important for us to be able 36 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:46,919 Speaker 1: to find different ways of having these conversations with friends 37 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:53,000 Speaker 1: and family and colleagues until November. People are, in my 38 00:02:53,120 --> 00:02:58,480 Speaker 1: humble opinion, not really coming to a moment of reckoning, 39 00:02:58,639 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 1: like the people of France just did to unite against 40 00:03:02,440 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: Donald Trump and the far right, and this theocratic reimagining 41 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 1: of America that they want. So I hope that you 42 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 1: glean some hopefulness from the conversation with Chris, which is 43 00:03:15,800 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 1: coming up. 44 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 2: Next, folks. 45 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:24,720 Speaker 1: I am very happy to welcome back to WOKF Daily 46 00:03:24,760 --> 00:03:30,160 Speaker 1: the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, Chris 47 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:35,720 Speaker 1: Melody Fields Figuretto And we spoke back Chris in April, 48 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: where I don't know, I'd kind of like to go 49 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:42,200 Speaker 1: backwards in time right now, and you were giving us 50 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: the rundown on all of the important ballot initiatives that 51 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 1: are coming up, and we know that twenty twenty four 52 00:03:51,120 --> 00:03:54,920 Speaker 1: November is going to be no different. Talk to us 53 00:03:55,000 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 1: about abortion being on the ballot, not just the presidency, right, 54 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,040 Speaker 1: but being on the ballot in multiple states. 55 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean a lot has changed since April. It 56 00:04:08,120 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 3: feels like every day, every week is different. But you know, 57 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,160 Speaker 3: I think there is hope for folks when it comes 58 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:19,200 Speaker 3: to reproductive freedom on the ballot this year. Really, the 59 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 3: people kind of heard the Supreme Court, Okay, you're going 60 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 3: to strike down an important protection. Then we're going to 61 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:29,440 Speaker 3: take power into our hands. And it's really showing across 62 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:32,240 Speaker 3: the states how the people are harnessing the power of 63 00:04:32,279 --> 00:04:35,919 Speaker 3: direct democracy to advance reproductive freedom in a way that 64 00:04:36,040 --> 00:04:40,280 Speaker 3: prioritizes the autonomy of pregnant people across the country, So 65 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:45,039 Speaker 3: it could be as many as eleven states this November, 66 00:04:45,800 --> 00:04:49,760 Speaker 3: thanks to really hard work in the state's grassroots organizations 67 00:04:50,040 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 3: who have channeled their power to put abortion on the 68 00:04:53,120 --> 00:04:56,880 Speaker 3: ballot in November. And just last week it was a 69 00:04:57,040 --> 00:05:01,200 Speaker 3: really big week in ballot measure wind. A number of 70 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 3: states Arizona, Nebraska, and Arkansas have put in their signatures 71 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:12,000 Speaker 3: to qualify for the November election, and one of the 72 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 3: really key highlights is how overwhelmingly the numbers have been 73 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:23,279 Speaker 3: or these signatures. In many states like Arizona, they gathered 74 00:05:23,279 --> 00:05:27,000 Speaker 3: more than double I mean, like more than eight hundred 75 00:05:27,040 --> 00:05:31,320 Speaker 3: and twenty thousand petitions to put abortion on the ballot 76 00:05:31,360 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 3: in Arizona, more than double what they need to qualify. 77 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 3: That's one in five Arizonans. We're out there signing these 78 00:05:39,800 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 3: petitions to put it on the ballot. And that's really 79 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:46,840 Speaker 3: been this really great story of how really this is 80 00:05:46,880 --> 00:05:50,479 Speaker 3: this big trend of how overwhelmingly people are out there 81 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:55,039 Speaker 3: signing these petitions and with large volunteer numbers that should 82 00:05:55,080 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 3: be really exciting for folks who who want to believe 83 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,520 Speaker 3: and things are possible in our democracy. 84 00:06:00,880 --> 00:06:05,120 Speaker 1: You know, Chris, I'm assuming that the ballots changed from 85 00:06:05,160 --> 00:06:07,400 Speaker 1: state to state, right, Like what it means to have 86 00:06:07,440 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: an initiative put up for a vote on the ballot. 87 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 1: Can you talk to us about some of the differences 88 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 1: and how people have been able to get abortion. And 89 00:06:16,640 --> 00:06:19,279 Speaker 1: I also want to dig into what we mean when 90 00:06:19,320 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 1: we're saying abortion is on the ballot, Like what specifically 91 00:06:22,440 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: are these ballot measures calling for. 92 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean a leven states with eleven different rules, 93 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,680 Speaker 3: and some were actually referred by the state legislature, like 94 00:06:31,680 --> 00:06:35,320 Speaker 3: in New York, in the Maryland, So it looks different 95 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 3: in every state. For those states that are doing the 96 00:06:39,240 --> 00:06:43,839 Speaker 3: citizen led process, so right going into their community gathering 97 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:47,760 Speaker 3: these signatures signing the petitions, they're going to have different 98 00:06:47,839 --> 00:06:51,320 Speaker 3: rules of how many signatures they have to gather, where 99 00:06:51,440 --> 00:06:54,839 Speaker 3: in the state they have to gather signatures. And then 100 00:06:54,960 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 3: there are other states like I mentioned before, that legislatures 101 00:06:58,200 --> 00:07:01,520 Speaker 3: can refer something to the so it doesn't go through 102 00:07:01,560 --> 00:07:05,840 Speaker 3: the citizen led process. Legislators in the states actually put 103 00:07:05,880 --> 00:07:08,400 Speaker 3: the issue on the ballot. So in states like New 104 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,200 Speaker 3: York is a way more expansive look and does it 105 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:17,840 Speaker 3: only include protections for pregnant people. It's more expansive, and 106 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 3: it's kind of an Equal Rights Amendment style ballot measure 107 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 3: that includes abortion protections. And then you have a state 108 00:07:24,200 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 3: like Colorado that is not only codifying the rights to 109 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:31,480 Speaker 3: an abortion their state constitution, they're actually trying to overturn 110 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 3: a law that prevents state funding or abortions, which is 111 00:07:35,880 --> 00:07:40,440 Speaker 3: so incredibly important when we talk about access, especially for 112 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 3: people living in poverty and are you know, have meditate 113 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,280 Speaker 3: in order to pay for their health care. And then 114 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 3: you know, other states like a Missouri are only looking 115 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 3: for an abortion protection into their constitution. They're looking at 116 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:58,160 Speaker 3: other things, you know, looking at what the Supreme Court 117 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 3: decision was vent thinking about how the not just the funding, 118 00:08:03,120 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 3: but what are the other protections that are needed. 119 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 2: So while it doesn't. 120 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:12,680 Speaker 3: Specifically name IVF as a protection, the way it is 121 00:08:12,720 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 3: written would allow for protections like in vitroclertalization. 122 00:08:18,320 --> 00:08:20,200 Speaker 2: And then by and large, the rest of the. 123 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:28,640 Speaker 3: States are looking at just affirmatively having constitutional protections around abortions. 124 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,200 Speaker 1: When we look at all of this and it does 125 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:38,720 Speaker 1: it makes me feel like democracy is working when we're 126 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 1: talking about valid initiatives. It makes me feel as if 127 00:08:42,160 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 1: people are paying attention to what can and should be done. 128 00:08:45,960 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 1: When you see what the Supreme Court's agenda is right, 129 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,520 Speaker 1: which is to roll us back into the nineteenth century. 130 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 1: And so in a lot of these places, one they're 131 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:58,400 Speaker 1: looking to codify abortion, but they're looking it sounds like 132 00:08:58,440 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 1: to also expand rights to people understanding what is at stake. 133 00:09:05,080 --> 00:09:08,680 Speaker 1: Let me ask you this most recently, Project twenty twenty five, 134 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:12,560 Speaker 1: which I'm sure you're very familiar with the listeners of 135 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:14,760 Speaker 1: this show are because I talk about it at nauseum 136 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:19,080 Speaker 1: plans to come in and gut every single agency, plans 137 00:09:19,120 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: to have nationwide abortion bands. If in fact, that houthscape 138 00:09:24,800 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: does come into reality, what does a ballot measure ensure 139 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:36,640 Speaker 1: when you have that kind of authority coming in in 140 00:09:36,679 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 1: the executive branch. 141 00:09:38,480 --> 00:09:41,319 Speaker 3: Well, this is why, Yes, we have the federal government, 142 00:09:41,360 --> 00:09:44,360 Speaker 3: and then we also have states that govern laws as well, 143 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:48,640 Speaker 3: and this is where it'll be really incredibly important. With 144 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:53,960 Speaker 3: those state constitutions that have these guaranteed protections, that is 145 00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:56,720 Speaker 3: what is going to come into play in the event 146 00:09:56,920 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 3: the worst happens, right, That is where those protections that 147 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,280 Speaker 3: are in state constitutions are really going to give people protections. 148 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,280 Speaker 3: And that is why you know, so many advocates in 149 00:10:09,320 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 3: the states have turned to the ballot measure process to 150 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:16,080 Speaker 3: the failure in many ways of central government. 151 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 1: Right. 152 00:10:16,400 --> 00:10:18,960 Speaker 3: If you think about what the Supreme Court is do, 153 00:10:19,400 --> 00:10:22,560 Speaker 3: has done, and is doing and will continue to do, 154 00:10:23,200 --> 00:10:27,160 Speaker 3: that is so critical and why in many places, you know, 155 00:10:27,800 --> 00:10:32,160 Speaker 3: a state like Arizona or Florida, right, which is pretty 156 00:10:32,200 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 3: much close to near total bands in their state. Those 157 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 3: are deserts in that part of the country. Florida for 158 00:10:39,240 --> 00:10:43,439 Speaker 3: an example, there is no other state in the southeast 159 00:10:43,480 --> 00:10:48,000 Speaker 3: part of the country right now that can deliver abortions 160 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:53,120 Speaker 3: that is eighty thousand patients a year. No one can 161 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 3: take that on and that's why it's so critical for 162 00:10:56,920 --> 00:10:59,199 Speaker 3: And listen, we're also talking about the global South when 163 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:02,160 Speaker 3: we're talking about Florida too, right, we're talking about the 164 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:05,439 Speaker 3: Caribbean as well. And that's why these are so important. 165 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:11,240 Speaker 3: Is it guarantees those very specific protections and places where 166 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:13,760 Speaker 3: you know, you've seen these New York Times articles, these 167 00:11:13,840 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 3: Washington Post, these other media stories coming out which I 168 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:20,240 Speaker 3: think we talked about last time about Louisiana, where people 169 00:11:20,280 --> 00:11:24,199 Speaker 3: are traveling to states like from Texas, my home state, 170 00:11:24,559 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 3: to a Colorado right to get an abortion, because just 171 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:33,079 Speaker 3: having a band doesn't mean that important healthcare disappears. 172 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:36,280 Speaker 1: You know, I guess one of my concerns and you 173 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:38,360 Speaker 1: know this is I guess a fear for another day. 174 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:40,720 Speaker 1: But you tell me if you think about it as well, 175 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:45,079 Speaker 1: because while we have states rights right, we also see 176 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,720 Speaker 1: the ways in which those states rights become limited when 177 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:50,960 Speaker 1: you have a Supreme Court come in, for instance in 178 00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 1: New York and overturn our hundred year old gun policies 179 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 1: to protect a very densely populated place. And you know, 180 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 1: we saw, for instance, during the Trump administration the height 181 00:12:02,720 --> 00:12:07,120 Speaker 1: of COVID where Donald Trump was denying FEMA to different 182 00:12:07,160 --> 00:12:10,520 Speaker 1: states and denying you know, New Yorkers the ability to 183 00:12:10,600 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: get global entry for instance, to be able to sign 184 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:17,840 Speaker 1: up for that when traveling globally. So when you think 185 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:21,240 Speaker 1: about these things and the ways in which the federal 186 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:27,840 Speaker 1: government can weaponize against the states, how do states do 187 00:12:27,920 --> 00:12:30,600 Speaker 1: you think like manage this, Like when they're putting these 188 00:12:30,640 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: ballot initiatives together, the people are putting them together. Do 189 00:12:34,280 --> 00:12:37,680 Speaker 1: they still understand that there are ways that the federal 190 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:40,760 Speaker 1: government can weaponize I think. 191 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:43,280 Speaker 3: People are acutely aware of that, and at the end 192 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 3: of the day, they don't think government should interfere with 193 00:12:46,440 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 3: medical decisions, period. And that's true across the board, and 194 00:12:50,920 --> 00:12:54,560 Speaker 3: it transcends partisan lines. I mean, if you look at 195 00:12:55,000 --> 00:12:58,560 Speaker 3: the states that have already stopped abortion bands at the 196 00:12:58,600 --> 00:13:03,920 Speaker 3: ballot or have done firmative protections for reproductive healthcare, that 197 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:10,160 Speaker 3: is Democrats, Republicans, and independents coming together overwhelmingly. And I 198 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:15,880 Speaker 3: think what is interesting is in many ways it is 199 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:22,559 Speaker 3: destigmatizing an issue across not just partisan lines, but community 200 00:13:22,679 --> 00:13:28,280 Speaker 3: lines about what it means to have this healthcare decision made. 201 00:13:28,640 --> 00:13:31,920 Speaker 3: You know, I've talked to folks in Arizona. I've I've 202 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 3: talked to folks in Florida, and you know, five of 203 00:13:34,440 --> 00:13:38,439 Speaker 3: those states are going to have huge Latino populations, huge 204 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:42,600 Speaker 3: black and brown populations that will make a decision. 205 00:13:43,040 --> 00:13:44,040 Speaker 2: I mean, if you look. 206 00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:48,360 Speaker 3: At states like Ohio, where black men and women were 207 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:52,040 Speaker 3: critical last year in twenty twenty three for the reproductive 208 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:54,840 Speaker 3: freedom about measure, if you look at where you know, 209 00:13:54,920 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 3: the stigmatization or Latinos being too catholic right to support 210 00:13:59,400 --> 00:14:04,040 Speaker 3: reproductive health care, but actually isn't panning out in a 211 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 3: majority of these states. And if anything, you know, by me, 212 00:14:08,280 --> 00:14:12,080 Speaker 3: you know, by someone in someone's family sharing their abortion story, 213 00:14:12,440 --> 00:14:15,480 Speaker 3: you know, a younger generation, millennials and gen Z, that 214 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 3: is giving permission to older generations. You know, I'm on 215 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:22,520 Speaker 3: the custom gen X and in Millennia, you know, I'll 216 00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 3: say Genet's our younger posts, right, right, so some boomers, right, 217 00:14:26,320 --> 00:14:29,840 Speaker 3: and that is giving permission to our abuelas rtias, our 218 00:14:29,880 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 3: aunties to say, you know what, this is actually also 219 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 3: true for me too, And I think that is what 220 00:14:36,240 --> 00:14:40,160 Speaker 3: is happening, is like the people are saying the government 221 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 3: actually doesn't speak for me and what I need to do. 222 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: Do you think that this abortion and also again just 223 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:50,360 Speaker 1: you know, lifting up Project twenty twenty five and their 224 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: desire to not only ban IVF but also contraception, is 225 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:57,720 Speaker 1: this going to be in your mind like the single 226 00:14:57,800 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 1: issue that get people to the polls as disarrayed as 227 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,760 Speaker 1: Democrats seem right now, I think. 228 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,800 Speaker 3: People are motivated, and I actually don't think there are 229 00:15:10,800 --> 00:15:13,800 Speaker 3: these stories being told about voter apathy that are actually 230 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,000 Speaker 3: just untrue and I see it every day. Not only 231 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:19,880 Speaker 3: was reproductive freedom and the amount of petitions that are 232 00:15:19,880 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 3: being turned in, the amount of volunteers that are being 233 00:15:24,440 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 3: a part of these efforts, It's also about the other 234 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:31,359 Speaker 3: key issue that people care about right now. It's inflation too, 235 00:15:31,400 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 3: and you know, states are going to raise them. I 236 00:15:33,160 --> 00:15:35,520 Speaker 3: mean they also have minimum wage and pay the lead 237 00:15:36,360 --> 00:15:38,240 Speaker 3: that are going to come out to about what we 238 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 3: know and what we've been able to see pretty solidly 239 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:42,840 Speaker 3: since twenty sixteen. 240 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:44,720 Speaker 2: Our issues are the driver. 241 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:49,880 Speaker 3: Issues are the driving factor more than candidates in many 242 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 3: states for voters. And I think, yes, abortion, no question 243 00:15:56,720 --> 00:15:59,400 Speaker 3: is going to be a huge factor. 244 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:01,600 Speaker 2: Of hyps people go to the polls this year. 245 00:16:02,440 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 3: But I think it's these other issues to like economic justice, 246 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 3: right like our democracy. You know, Ohio just last week 247 00:16:10,880 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 3: turned in petitions for redistricting over seven hundred thousand. So 248 00:16:15,640 --> 00:16:19,840 Speaker 3: I think, you know, people want to see progress, period 249 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:22,880 Speaker 3: and if they're elected officials aren't going to do it, 250 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 3: They're going to do it for themselves. 251 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:27,720 Speaker 1: I mean, I think that it's heartening. One I agree 252 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:29,960 Speaker 1: with you in terms of the stories that come out 253 00:16:30,320 --> 00:16:32,800 Speaker 1: with regard to voter apathy. I think that we've been 254 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:36,880 Speaker 1: hearing those same stories every election, right, every election cycle, 255 00:16:37,160 --> 00:16:39,160 Speaker 1: we're told that people aren't going to come out and vote, 256 00:16:39,200 --> 00:16:41,120 Speaker 1: that young people aren't going to vote, that black people 257 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,880 Speaker 1: are moving to Trump, that Latino people are moving to Trump. 258 00:16:44,120 --> 00:16:47,520 Speaker 1: And on one hand, I'm here in New York, so 259 00:16:47,600 --> 00:16:50,720 Speaker 1: I have a very skewed view of how people think 260 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 1: and what people are doing because of the bubble that 261 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: I live in in the city. But I wonder how 262 00:16:57,520 --> 00:17:01,640 Speaker 1: much is needed to amplify, right, to help change the narrative, 263 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:04,880 Speaker 1: to amplify just how engage voters are. 264 00:17:06,080 --> 00:17:09,960 Speaker 2: We have to tell our stories period, Like we have to. 265 00:17:10,920 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 2: You know, it has been a bit. 266 00:17:12,240 --> 00:17:16,280 Speaker 3: Frustrating to look at the news up for many reasons, right, 267 00:17:16,359 --> 00:17:19,800 Speaker 3: But if I hear any more about the debate, I'm like, 268 00:17:20,119 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 3: that is actually not playing out in people's daily lines. 269 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:29,080 Speaker 3: Like we you your podcasts, us who consume media, who 270 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 3: want sources. We have to go out there and tell 271 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:35,960 Speaker 3: our stories. And I think the more we are out 272 00:17:35,960 --> 00:17:39,640 Speaker 3: there and vocal. You know, I talked about the stigmatization 273 00:17:39,760 --> 00:17:43,400 Speaker 3: we're seeing in a lot of states around reproductive rights. 274 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 2: People have to tell their stories. 275 00:17:45,960 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 3: They have to say this is actually why I'm going 276 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:53,200 Speaker 3: to vote this is how it impacts me and my community. 277 00:17:53,680 --> 00:17:57,960 Speaker 3: And this is how out of touch these political extremits 278 00:17:58,160 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 3: who are trying to strip Americans fundamental freedom. They are 279 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:07,400 Speaker 3: so out of touch, and the people are responding by 280 00:18:08,040 --> 00:18:11,600 Speaker 3: making sure that they have protections and they're protecting themselves. 281 00:18:14,760 --> 00:18:19,359 Speaker 1: Do you think that the people who are running with 282 00:18:19,400 --> 00:18:23,600 Speaker 1: the narrative the mainstream media, do you find that voters 283 00:18:23,640 --> 00:18:26,360 Speaker 1: these days? Where do you think that they're getting their 284 00:18:26,800 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 1: information from? Like have they true? Like have they abandoned it? 285 00:18:30,920 --> 00:18:33,760 Speaker 1: And they're like going back into community in the way 286 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:35,919 Speaker 1: that you go door to door to get these valid 287 00:18:35,960 --> 00:18:40,760 Speaker 1: initiatives passed. Like where are people your people like getting 288 00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:42,480 Speaker 1: their information these days? 289 00:18:42,720 --> 00:18:45,440 Speaker 3: I think they're getting it from multiple places. But at 290 00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:48,400 Speaker 3: the end, I'm an organizer through and through, and at 291 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 3: the end of the day, people go to trusted resources, 292 00:18:51,920 --> 00:18:56,400 Speaker 3: and that means community and that can be your direct family, 293 00:18:56,800 --> 00:18:59,959 Speaker 3: that can be your pastor that can be your name 294 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 3: on the block, right, Like, there are a number of 295 00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:06,160 Speaker 3: people that people turn to at the end of the day. 296 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,960 Speaker 3: And I think what's going to be really critical in 297 00:19:10,320 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 3: these next four and a half months is people being 298 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:18,720 Speaker 3: tuned into those trusted sources because they are going too tricky. 299 00:19:19,600 --> 00:19:25,879 Speaker 3: Misinformation and disinformation is absolutely real, and you need to 300 00:19:25,960 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 3: go to not just read something on social media, not 301 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:34,240 Speaker 3: something that's already construed into your algorithm, go to multiple sources, 302 00:19:34,640 --> 00:19:37,760 Speaker 3: but ultimately go to the people you no one trusts 303 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,280 Speaker 3: and say if it doesn't feel right, maybe. 304 00:19:40,000 --> 00:19:41,720 Speaker 2: I need to do a little bit more inquiry. 305 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:45,120 Speaker 3: But there are whether it's the TV, whether there it's 306 00:19:45,160 --> 00:19:48,320 Speaker 3: the radio, whether it's your social media feed, or it's 307 00:19:48,440 --> 00:19:51,560 Speaker 3: literally just talking to people you know out in your 308 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:56,159 Speaker 3: community about this. It's going to be so incredibly critical. 309 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:58,919 Speaker 2: And what we've already. 310 00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:03,200 Speaker 3: Seen too with some of the misinformation and disinformation, especially 311 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:06,679 Speaker 3: for the petition gatherers, is the importance of being safe 312 00:20:07,240 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 3: and protecting people in their safety because in states like Arkansas, 313 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 3: some of those petition gatherners were docked, their private information 314 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:19,720 Speaker 3: was shared publicly, and their lives were threatened. This is 315 00:20:19,760 --> 00:20:23,560 Speaker 3: going to continue to heighten as we get closer, and 316 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:27,720 Speaker 3: all I know is we protect ourselves right. Community protects 317 00:20:27,760 --> 00:20:30,440 Speaker 3: you at the end of the day, and trusted sources 318 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 3: like you are going to play such. 319 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 2: A critical role in the coming months. 320 00:20:34,680 --> 00:20:37,600 Speaker 1: Well, Chris, I thank you as always for the work 321 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:39,760 Speaker 1: that you were doing, for the messages that you are 322 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:42,879 Speaker 1: getting out, for the community that you are building to 323 00:20:42,920 --> 00:20:46,920 Speaker 1: fight back against these oppressive forces. Please tell folks how 324 00:20:46,960 --> 00:20:48,720 Speaker 1: they can get more information. 325 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:52,840 Speaker 3: Well, we have a fantastic research on our ballot dot 326 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:55,760 Speaker 3: org website. It's the ballot measure Hub. If you want 327 00:20:55,800 --> 00:20:58,320 Speaker 3: to stay up to date with the latest, go on 328 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:00,680 Speaker 3: the Ballot Measure Hub. You can also signed up for 329 00:21:00,720 --> 00:21:04,199 Speaker 3: our weekly newsletter which where we share more information. You 330 00:21:04,240 --> 00:21:07,840 Speaker 3: can follow us on all the socials at Balanced Strategy. 331 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:10,199 Speaker 3: We make it pretty easy and that's where you can 332 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:12,600 Speaker 3: get it on more information. But I cannot like that 333 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:16,960 Speaker 3: Power Measure Hub like that is the place to find everything. 334 00:21:17,680 --> 00:21:20,840 Speaker 1: Amazing, Chris, thank you so much as always for making 335 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:24,439 Speaker 1: the time for wok f Daily. Really really appreciate you. 336 00:21:24,760 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 3: Thank you for having me. 337 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,879 Speaker 1: That is it for me today. Dear friends on wok 338 00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:38,359 Speaker 1: F as always, Power to the people and to all 339 00:21:38,760 --> 00:21:42,640 Speaker 1: the people. Power, get woke and stay woke as fuck.