FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jason Jordan 202.349.1037
Allison Leach 202.349.1037
November 9, 2010
Election Day 2011 Continues Transit Winning Streak at the Ballot Box
Cincinnati Voters Chose Streetcars; Durham, NC Supports New Transit Investment
Once again voters showed strong support at the ballot box for transportation investment. With results still pending on one election, the win rate for the year stands at 78%. Yesterday, voters in four states approved seven transit finance measures totaling nearly $30 million in new, annual funding. Throughout 2011 voters demonstrated their support for funding public transportation with at least 21 ballot measures approved across the nation. On Election Day, the Center for Transportation Excellence monitored 11 measures relating to transit finance, construction or operations. Of this total, seven were approved in favor of new or continuing service and one statewide measure remains undecided. In addition, a non-transit related road measure won statewide in Arkansas.
Election results from 2011 continue a decade-long trend of overwhelming voter support for transportation investments with local tax dollars. Over the course of 2011, CFTE has monitored 28 transportation ballot measures and counted at least 21 wins. If I-1125—the statewide anti-tolling measure in Washington that seeks to prevent a new light-rail line and prohibit toll revenue from being using on non-highway projects—is rejected, as it is currently leaning, the success rate for the year will be 79%. This would be even higher than 2010’s success rate of 77% and significantly above the average since 2000, which sits at a remarkable 70%.
“In spite of deep, continuing economic anxieties, voters continue to support raising local revenue to invest in transit,” said CFTE Director Jason Jordan. “Conventional wisdom says that the public won’t support raising taxes, but when the transportation and economic benefits are clear, as was the case with measures across the country this year, voters strongly choose to invest in transit. For more than a decade now voters have been sending a strong message in support of transportation projects that expand choice, improve access and mobility, and increase economic vitality.”
Voters across the country—from Washington to North Carolina— approved close to $30 million in annual funding for transit service on yesterday’s ballots. Nine of those measures were directly related to financing; each asking voters to increase or renew a sales tax, property tax or vehicle fee. The other measures were Washington’s I-1125 and a charter amendment in Cincinnati that attempted to prevent construction or investment in rail until 2020, with the downtown streetcar project as a specific target. Information on all the 2011 measures is available here.
Yesterday, Durham became the second county in North Carolina to receive authority by voters to levy a half-cent sales tax for transit. Mecklenburg was the first county to pass the sales tax, voting in favor of it again in 2009 when opponents asked for repeal. Officials in Durham say they will hold off on implementing the tax increase until Orange and Wake Counties get voter approval for their own half-cent sales tax in 2012. Earlier this year, voters in neighboring Raleigh approved a $40 million bond package supporting road, transit and rail investments.
Michigan had by far the most measures on the ballot in 2011, with 16 property tax renewals or increases going before voters. All but two of these were successful. Washington came in as the second most prolific state for transportation ballot measures this year with a total of five. Clark County approved a 0.2 percent sales tax increase yesterday that is expected to generate $8 to $9 million a year for C-Tran and prevent significant cuts to bus service. Washington was also home to an unfortunate loss yesterday in Seattle. Voters chose not to increase the local car-tab fee by $60 to support transit, road maintenance and bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure.
Next Tuesday, November 15, CFTE will host a webinar to analyze the results and trends from this year’s elections. “Voters Support Transit: 2011 Election Results & 2012 Outlook” will be cosponsored by the National Alliance of Public Transportation Advocates (NAPTA). Free registration for this webinar is available online at here.
Download a copy of the 2011 Post-Election Press Release
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