John Fairbank, its pollster, provides insights into what the electoral process means for children s issues based on his work with Proposition 10 and other campaigns. Chad Griffin, its manager, provides an inside look at campaign strategies and helps to define what lessons can be extracted from the experience. Yes on Proposition 5, the Indian Gaming Measure, and Proposition 10. Voters need to perceive that something is in crisis before they will vote to spend tax dollars to fix it. We always try to connect a measure to a perceived need.
Education is a priority issue for many voters today because they perceive schools to be in crisis.
Other issues seen by voters to be in crisis include park repairs, lead paint removal, public safety, a decline in library services and technology access in schools and libraries. Candidates must also address issues that people perceive are in crisis. California s gubernatorial campaign is a good example of this. We cannot waste the momentum kids issues have gained across the country. We have a unique opportunity in this country today for getting kids issues passed at the ballot.