Joel Foster

Joel Foster runs Ballot Initiative Strategy Center’s Ballot Integrity program.  Joel is primarily responsible for strengthening the laws protecting states from initiative fraud and developing tools to hold initiative fraud merchants accountable for subverting direct democracy.

Joel comes to BISC after more than a decade of organizing, political, community, and union work in Arizona.  Joel began his career organizing around environmental and criminal justice issues.  In 2002, Joel built a coalition of labor unions, community groups, environmental organizations, women's groups, and organizations of color that prevented a 5000 bed private women's prison from being built.

Joel became the Executive Director of Arizona's US Action affiliate, the Arizona Leadership Institute (ALI) in 2004.  That year, ALI registered more than 55,000 new voters and knocked on over 100,000 doors in predominantly Latino, African American, and Native American neighborhoods.  ALI also became the leading coalition builder in the state; developing groups to oppose the privatization of Social Security, promote environmental justice, and encourage dialogue between the Latino and LGBTQ communities.

In 2006, Joel was the Communications Director of Mi Familia Vota, the SEIU led effort to increase Arizona's Latino vote.  Also in 2006, he began serving as the volunteer media contact and spokesperson for We Are America/Somos America, the coalition of civil rights groups and labor unions working towards humane and reasonable immigration reform.  As a result of his efforts, Joel was recognized as the 2007 "Friend of the Community" Award Winner by the Arizona Hispanic Community Forum.

Most recently, Joel served as the Policy Director for UFCW Local 99.

In addition to his work, Joel is passionate about coffee and micro breweries.  He also is sometimes hard to find on Saturdays during the fall when his beloved Nebraska Cornhuskers are playing football.