In this episode of Democracy Decoded, host Simone Leeper breaks down the power of ballot initiatives, showcasing how everyday citizens can use this tool of direct democracy to bring about significant change.

Despite an increasingly partisan national landscape, Michigan has implemented key voting and representation reforms and set a trailblazing example for transformative change, largely due to citizen-initiated constitutional amendments.

As political divisions intensify, we must guarantee that our polling places — and all places where ballots are cast — are safe.

While we’ve made great strides towards ensuring free and fair access to the ballot, I’m reminded of the existing barriers which prevent full participation in our democracy and of the efforts by some elected officials to erect new ones.