Multnomah County, OR’s Preschool for All: A November 2020 Ballot Measure Case StudyIn 2018, two separate campaigns began efforts to create a publicly funded universal preschool program in Multnomah County, OR. One of the campaigns, Preschool for All, was established by Multnomah County Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson as an extension of a decade of community-led work to expand access to early childhood education. The other campaign, Universal Preschool Now, began as a grassroots movement following the closure of local community centers.1 Both campaigns had the same goal: to secure voter approval for a countywide universal preschool program funded by a tax on high-income earners. Although they initially began and operated separately, the two campaigns coalesced in August 2020 around shared goals and values and merged their efforts to support a single ballot measure. In November 2020, voters approved the measure to create the Multnomah County Preschool for All program funded by a new high-income earners’ tax currently projected to raise $160 million annually by 2026. Download PDF Filed under:Early Childhood, Advocates/Intermediaries, Funders, Policymakers/Agency Leaders, Publication, Voter-Approved Children’s FundsMore Resources Video The 2024 Election: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward for Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Advocates and experts share insights into the campaign processes, successes, and challenges behind ballot measures to create voter-approved children's funds. Publication Last Vote to First Dollar Toolkit An implementation toolkit to help leaders of new voter-approved children's funds set their funds up for success Updates and Events Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate Insights November 11, 2024 After-School Programs Offer an Antidote to Social Media Harms. Big Tech Settlements Should Foot the Bill. News November 6, 2024 Voters in Local Communities Approve Up to $133 Million for Kids in the 2024 Election Close Share it! Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Click to copy URL Link Copied!
Video The 2024 Election: Lessons Learned and the Path Forward for Voter-Approved Children’s Funds Advocates and experts share insights into the campaign processes, successes, and challenges behind ballot measures to create voter-approved children's funds.
Publication Last Vote to First Dollar Toolkit An implementation toolkit to help leaders of new voter-approved children's funds set their funds up for success
Insights December 11, 2024 Reflecting on a Year of Accomplishments for Children and Youth—and Preparing for a New Political Climate
Insights November 11, 2024 After-School Programs Offer an Antidote to Social Media Harms. Big Tech Settlements Should Foot the Bill.
News November 6, 2024 Voters in Local Communities Approve Up to $133 Million for Kids in the 2024 Election