Tactics and Strategies for Organizing a Successful Ballot Measure Campaign

Center for Transportation Excellence ConferenceDec. 9, 2003Kelly NordiniTransit Alliancewww.transitalliance.org

Transit Alliance

Founded in 1999

Coalition of 39 groups

Local governments

Business organizations

Community groups

Transit Alliance

Our purpose is to contribute to the economic vitality, the quality of life, and the environment of theDenver Metropolitan region by promoting public transitas part of a balanced,multi-modal transportation network.

1997 Guide the Ride Campaign

Lost 44 to 56%

4/10 cent sales tax increase for RTD, decreasing to 2/10 after system built

Regional network of 100 miles of rapid transit

Circulator buses, suburban bus service

$2.1 Billion capital, $3.5 Billion total through 2015

1997 Guide the Ride Campaign

Pro– Coalition of over 100 groups, Denver Post– Raised $650,000

Anti– RTD Board Member Jon Caldara– “Clear the Air” -- RTD Chair Ben Klein– Rocky Mtn News, State Treasurer Bill Owens,

several counties– Raised $50,000

1997 Campaign Post-Mortem

Campaign failed because:

– Divided agency (i.e. 8-7 vote, board member led opposition)

– Unfinished plan (i.e. didn’t know what going to Boulder)

– Package too big

– No “real” proven successful LRT project (“starter” line only)

1997 Campaign Post-Mortem

Traffic problem not going away

Voters did not reject light rail

Pursue an incremental approach

Keep the coalition together

1997 - 1999 Activities

1998 - Pro-transit RTD board elected

1998 - Transit Alliance formed

Corridor planning process continues

1999 Metro Moves Campaign

RTD - Wins by 66%– No new taxes

– Allowed bonding for SE light rail

– Allowed RTD to keep “excess” revenue for SE through 2026

– Provided 40% local match for federal grant

TRANS – No new taxes

– Bonding for 28 priority projects, including SE Corridor

1999 Metro Moves Campaign

Pro– Broad coalition including Gov. Owens, Rocky Mtn

News– Raised nearly $1 Million (light rail), $1.2

Million (TRANS)

Anti– Jon Caldera, RTD Director Dick Sargent, Doug

Bruce– Negligible funding

2004 Campaign

2-3+ Years Before– Form a transit advocacy group/build coalition

• continued to expand Transit Alliance, added 9 new members

• formed Transit Alliance Action Fund, raised $70K for lobbying effort, built coalition of 45 groups

– Do the transit planning• RTD released 1st draft of FasTracks plan 2001• continued corridor planning process

– Reform/Build agency/transit image

2004 Campaign

2-3+ Years Before continued...– Demonstrate transit success

• RTD opened 2 more LRT lines on-time and on-budget, exceeding ridership projections

– Demonstrate traffic crisis• Denver 3rd most congested city in the country

– Voter research to identify key messages/issues and test package elements

• Alliance raised $30K for poll

• Showed 78% support for tax increase for transit

2004 Campaign

2-3+ Years Before continued…– Public education

• Alliance reached over 25,000 people in last 2 years through presentations, booth at summer events

• 21,000 postcards in support of transit, 300 new potential volunteers identified

• Held training workshops for more than 170 activists

• Mail newsletter 3/year to over 3,500 community leaders and volunteers

• Website receives 2,000 visits monthly

• Host leadership forums on key transit issues

2004 Campaign

1-2+ Years– Begin finalizing the transit plan

• RTD sent FasTracks plan to MPO for review, Nov. ‘03

– Establish exploratory/campaign committee

• Alliance facilitated convening Citizens for FasTracks Success, began meeting May ‘03

– Voter research to assess viability, issues, messages

– Engage stakeholders, continue coalition building

– Continue public education

Factors for Success

Public concern about traffic Successful projects & agency Organized, broad-based (electeds, business,

environmental) political support Well-funded, well-organized campaign Messages that resonate