Ballot measure feasibility studies
Before your board votes, know what voters think the community needs, what they'd support, and when to ask. Our in-house, award-winning polling team finds out, and you get a straight answer in plain language.
What a feasibility study includes
Every study is built around your agency, your community, and the decision in front of your board.
- Stakeholder interviewsConversations with community leaders, staff, and the people who know your community best.
- Public opinion surveyDesigned, fielded, and analyzed by our in-house, award-winning polling team.
- Needs and prioritiesWhich needs voters see as most urgent, in their own terms.
- Amount, rate, and termOptions tested against what voters will support.
- Accountability provisionsWhich oversight and reporting commitments matter most to voters.
- Information testingWhat voters need to know, and what raises questions.
- Election timingTurnout patterns, election trends, and competing measures.
- A plain-language recommendationA clear read on whether to move forward, adjust, or wait.
- Board presentationFindings presented to your board in a form that supports a decision.
Why start with a feasibility study
A measure is a big decision for a board and a big ask of voters. A feasibility study replaces guesswork with evidence: which needs to lead with, what amount voters will accept, which accountability provisions matter, and which election gives the measure its best chance.
Because our polling team is in house, the people who design your survey are the same people who help you act on it, through measure development, community engagement, and the campaign. If the research says wait, we say wait, and we explain what would need to change.
Feasibility studies for every kind of measure
- School bondsFacility bonds for K-12 districts and community colleges.
- Parcel taxes and leviesOngoing funding for schools, libraries, parks, and public safety.
- Sales taxesGeneral and special sales taxes for cities and counties.
- Special district measuresFire, water, park, healthcare, and library districts.
- Infrastructure bondsRoads, water systems, and public buildings.
- Renewals and extensionsMeasuring support before current funding expires.
- Measures after a lossFinding out what held voters back, and what would change the outcome.
- Any other measureIf it needs voter approval, we can research it.
Wondering whether a measure is realistic?
The best time to find out is before the board spends time on one. Let's talk.
Questions about feasibility studies
What is a ballot measure feasibility study?
Research that tells an agency whether a measure is likely to succeed, and how to shape it, before the board decides to place it on the ballot. It usually combines stakeholder interviews with a public opinion survey and ends with a recommendation.
When should we do a feasibility study?
As soon as the board starts asking whether a measure makes sense, and well before any filing deadline. Starting early leaves time to act on what the research shows.
Can a public agency pay for a feasibility study?
Agencies commonly fund research to inform a board decision. The rules vary by state, so we confirm the details with your counsel before the work begins.
What if the research says the timing isn't right?
We'll tell you. If the research says wait, we say wait, and we explain what would need to change before going to voters.
Do you do the polling yourselves?
Yes. Our public opinion research comes from our in-house, award-winning polling team, so the people who design your survey also help you act on the results.
Can you take the measure from research to election day?
Yes. We handle every step in house: feasibility research, measure development, community engagement, and the campaign. You work with one lead throughout.
What's your track record?
We've helped local communities raise more than $8.5 billion. On measures where we handle both the public and the private campaign, our win rate is 97.8 percent. We've worked with more than 250 clients in 26 states.
Considering a measure?
Tell us what your board is weighing. We reply within 24 hours on weekdays.