{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ballot Measures and California Redistricting","description":"Ballot measures give voters a chance to participate in direct democracy while providing nonprofit organizations with a powerful platform to educate the public about issues they champion. In this episode, we discuss California's pending redistricting ballot measure and other developments in direct democracy with returning guest Emma Olson Sharkey. Attorneys for this Episode \u2022 Tim Mooney \u2022 Susan Finkel Sourlis \u2022 Emma Olson Sharkey, Elias Law Group The Importance of Ballot Measures \u00b7       Ballot measures give voters direct power to shape laws and policies, bypassing legislatures. \u00b7       For nonprofits, they\u2019re a powerful platform to educate the public and advance mission-driven issues. \u00b7       Emma Olson Sharkey\u2014partner at Elias Law Group and one of the nation\u2019s leading ballot measure experts\u2014returns to share insights (last heard in ROTG 96). California\u2019s Prop 50: Mid-Cycle Redistricting \u00b7       Background: California has an independent redistricting commission that drew maps in 2021 for the 2022 elections. \u00b7       New twist: In response to Texas\u2019 recent partisan maps, Governor Newsom and allies pushed for mid-decade redistricting. \u00b7       The ballot measure: Prop 50, passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, will go to voters in a special election on November 4, 2025. Redistricting Through Ballot Measures \u00b7       Ballot measures have long been used to reform redistricting across the U.S. \u00b7       Examples:   - Successful: Colorado (2018), Michigan (2018), Missouri (2020), Ohio (2018).   - Unsuccessful: Ohio\u2019s most recent attempt. \u00b7       Mid-cycle redistricting isn\u2019t new: Texas pioneered it in 2003 under Tom DeLay, and the playbook has returned in 2025. What Nonprofits Need to Know \u00b7       501(c)(3) Public Charities: May engage in ballot measure advocacy\u2014it counts as lobbying. Key distinction: 'Vote yes\/no on Prop X' = permissible lobbying; 'Vote for Candidate Y' = prohibited partisan activity. \u00b7       Because Prop 50 is rooted in partisan battles, public charities must tread carefully and seek legal advice before weighing in. \u00b7       Generally safe activity: nonpartisan voter engagement (e.g., get-out-the-vote drives, voter registration), but seek counsel especially around Prop 50. \u00b7       501(c)(4)s and Labor Organizations: Have far greater leeway\u2014no cap on lobbying. But California\u2019s strict regulatory environment requires attention to registration and reporting obligations. Restricting Access to Ballot Initiatives \u00b7       Since 2016, conservative legislatures have increasingly tried to restrict citizen-led ballot measures. \u00b7       States in the spotlight: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Missouri, Florida, Oklahoma, Arkansas. \u00b7       Many proposals fail, but recent years have seen more succeed, especially in Florida and Arkansas. \u00b7       Missouri is considering both mid-cycle redistricting and ballot measure restrictions in the same session. A Bit of Good News \u00b7       South Dakota victory: A federal court struck down H.B. 1184\u2019s nine-month filing deadline for ballot measures as unconstitutional, reaffirming citizens\u2019 First Amendment rights. \u00b7       Practical impact: Keeps the window open for grassroots groups to gather signatures and qualify measures. Resources Seize the Initiative: A Legal Guide on Ballot Measures for Nonprofits and Foundations \u2014 https:\/\/afj.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Seize-the-Initiative-2020-2.pdf Being a Player: A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities \u2014 https:\/\/afj.org\/resource\/being-a-player-a-guide-to-the-irs-lobbying-regulations-for-advocacy-charities\/ The Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for Nonprofit Organizations \u2014 https:\/\/afj.org\/resource\/the-rules-of-the-game-a-guide-to-election-related-activities-for-nonprofit-organizations\/ ","author_name":"Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/afj.org\/podcast","html":"