NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Benenson Strategy Group (BSG), a strategic research consultancy, is proud to have been part of eight different successful ballot initiatives in the nation's midterm elections, including the expansion of Medicaid coverage to low-income adults and a boost to the minimum wage. BSG led the polling and supported the campaigns for these and other successful ballot measures.
Continuing their heritage of bolstering progressive causes, BSG worked with The Fairness Project and its partners in states to expand Medicaid in three of the nation's reddest states, Idaho (Proposition 2), Utah (Proposition 3) and Nebraska (Initiative 427). By expanding Medicaid access to adults whose incomes are less than 138 percent of the federal poverty line, approximately 300,000 residents will gain access to affordable health care as early as spring 2019.
Additionally, BSG's efforts helped pass a minimum wage increase in Arkansas (Issue 5) and Missouri (Proposition B), which will boost pay for an estimated 1 million low- and middle-income workers. Arkansas residents voted to hike their minimum wage to $11 an hour, a 30 percent increase, and Missouri's minimum wage will increase to $12 an hour, a 53 percent increase.
"Elections have consequences, and as a result of this past election, hundreds of thousands of families will now have health care and over a million workers get a raise," said Amy Levin, the partner at Benenson Strategy Group who lead the research for these ballot measures. "Voters are often far ahead of politicians on issues, which these five ballots make abundantly clear."
BSG also led the polling for other high-profile and impactful initiatives, including:
Michigan Proposal 3 – After a successful ACLU-led campaign, Michigan voters approved a ballot initiative for election reforms that will enable automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, and no-reason absentee voting. The "Promote the Vote" measure will reduce barriers to voting and ensure every voter's ballot is counted.
Colorado Proposition 111 – Residents in Colorado overwhelmingly passed an initiative to limit the annual interest on payday loans to 36 percent and eliminate other abusive practices of this predatory industry.
Nevada Question 3 – Nevada residents defeated a measure that called for deregulating its energy landscape, which could have resulted in increased electricity charges and made service less reliable. Sixty seven percent of residents voted no on the measure and 33 percent voted yes, representing a drastic shift from 2016 when the vote was 72 percent yes and 28 percent no.
About Benenson Strategy Group
Benenson Strategy Group (BSG) is a strategic research consultancy that marries language expertise with innovative research to frame choices that help clients win in the most challenging competitive situations. Advising political leaders, global corporations, and institutions in dynamic, competitive scenarios, Benenson Strategy Group has earned a reputation for expertise in the rhythm and nuances of language and words, and the underlying dynamics of consumer and political choices. Founded in 2000, BSG's headquarters are in New York. The firm also has offices in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Denver. For more information, please visit http://www.bsgco.com
SOURCE Benenson Strategy Group
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