The Activists’ Choice: Ballot Initiatives as a Step Towards Pro-Choice Efforts

Abstract

Following the overturn of Roe V. Wade, many U.S. state legislatures failed to implement abortion rights that satisfy the general population. When the public disapproves of legislative law, some U.S. states allow citizens and activists the right to pursue a ballot initiative. With enough voter signatures, these ballots can turn into new laws. However, with ballot initiatives being a multi-step, lengthy process, what ultimately pushes activists to pursue this path? My research analyzes this novel intersection of political science and sociology fields to contribute to the current lack of literature on activists\u27 decisions to pursue ballot measures for abortion rights. The methodology consists of content analysis of local and national news sources to understand recent abortion ballot initiative processes across nine states in 2024. Thus far, my study shows that activists pursue ballot initiatives to ensure freedom and access to human rights, educate and mobilize voters, build power and structure for future reforms, empower the public to speak up, and measure the political support of local and national political candidates. Activists consider various factors before pursuing ballot measures, such as time, current political economy in each community, and legal challenges and qualifications in each state. I hope this multidirectional research will influence necessary change by understanding the activist rationale and informing strategic and effective ballot measure processes