About the New Proposals and Ideas category

New Proposals and Ideas
1

Post early-stage ideas, policy concepts, or starter proposals. This is where new laws begin. No legal experience required.

This category is for anyone who wants to propose a new law, suggest a policy fix, or raise a civic idea worth building into a ballot measure. You don’t need a polished draft. You don’t need legal training. You just need a starting point—and a willingness to shape it with others.

This is where new proposals begin.

Use this space to:

  • Post original ideas for a ballot measure, reform, or legal change

  • Share problems you think law could solve—at the state level or beyond

  • Get feedback from members on how to structure or focus your idea

  • Ask questions about legal feasibility, jurisdiction, or process

  • Invite co-builders for proposals you want to advance together

:robot: Using the Proposal Assistant AI to Draft or Develop Proposals

Every member has access to the Fifth Estate’s custom AI assistant, trained on our proposal structure, platform rules, and state-by-state research guides. The Proposal Assistant can:

  • Turn your idea into a 10-part proposal draft

  • Help you reword, simplify, or sharpen legal language

  • Find open-access research to back your claims

  • Walk you through how to structure your idea legally

  • Suggest names, TLDRs, or policy mechanisms based on your goals

You can start working with the Proposal Assistant here.

:puzzle_piece: What Makes This Category Different

Unlike project-specific forums (like Ballot Measure Rights or Limit School Voucher Spending), this category is open to any proposal idea. It’s a launchpad, not a final draft zone.

As feedback comes in, be ready to listen, adapt, and refine. The strongest proposals are shaped by many hands: members with legal insight, state-specific knowledge, or just a sharp eye for clarity. The more support your idea gathers, the better it will perform in future phases. We’re here to build real, positive change—rooted in the principles this country was founded on, and designed to lift every community involved.

:pushpin: Post Guidelines

  • Start with a clear title (e.g., “End Ban on Citizen Redistricting in Ohio” or “Let Cities Reject Statewide Permit Laws”)

  • Explain the issue you’re addressing and what change you’d like to see

  • If you have a source, cite it—especially budget, law, or precedent

  • Stay focused on the law, not just the problem

  • Respect feedback, even if it’s critical—every proposal needs testing