Did You Know?
In the last 10 years, the state of NJ lost out on over $3.82 billion (before state
matching funds) in school construction due to rejected ballot referendums.
- Of the referendums put on the ballot in 2023, 32% of the proposals failed, representing a loss of over $602 million in construction and related school spending projects.
- In 2024, 43% of proposed referendums failed, representing a loss of over $553 million in potential local school spending.
The Opportunity
Building Better Communities (BBC) is a one-stop shop for all things
regarding referendum projects for our coalition partners.
Statewide Educational
Facilities Referendums
There is a $7 billion funding need for just SDA districts around the state, before considering regular operating distrcit needs.
BBC will conduct polling to advise of messaging, audiences & timing for the SDA and Legislature to support a statewide Education referendum.
Local Education & School
Construction Referendums
BBC will keep track of local refereundums, providing regular updates and coordinating upcoming local projects and campaigns that benefit your members or organization.
BBC will be your contact to help coordinate and execute initiatives to support these referendums.
How We Will Do It
- Awareness: Referendum elections can occur 5 times a year and often go unnoticed. They are low-turnout elections with higher turnout among senior citizens and anti-education spending voters while more pragmatic voters are unaware. We will track when the referendum elections will occur with enough notice to plan for referendum campaigns.
- Preparation: After focusing on districts likely to use Project Labor Agreements, we will coordinate with our partners to plan and execute the campaign. Building Better Communities will utilize data to target and run full campaigns with digital, mail and organizing as the Referendum election approaches we educate the voters on the importance of the upcoming project.
- Mobilization: After identifying voters who would be likely to support new school infrastructure, we will turn our messaging to get out the vote efforts. We will mobilize our membership organizations, their members, our partners and volunteers to support and ultimately help pass the referendum.