Transit Elections Successes and Failures: Lessons Learned Tim Baldwin, AICP December 8, 2003

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Transit Elections

Successes and Failures: Lessons Learned

Tim Baldwin, AICPDecember 8, 2003

2002 Successes and Failures

X

XX

XXX

2003 Successes and Failures

X

X

Factors Influencing Success or Failure

Research by:Richard Werbel, Professor of Marketing, San Jose State University

Factors Influencing Success or Failure

Identifiable congestion “crisis”Business community sponsorshipEndorsement by key elected officials

Factors Influencing Success or Failure

$1 million campaignRecent initiative experienceSupport from environmental groups

Factors Influencing Success or Failure

Multiple transit modesIncludes highway fundingBenefits distributed throughout area

Factors Influencing Success or Failure

Extension of existing rail systemNo problems with local transit systemStakeholder participation in package

Factors Influencing Success or Failure

General electionCombination of direct mail and TVLack of effective opposition

Factors Influencing Success or Failure: 10 Elections 1997-2000

Those that passed (6) had no more than 3 “negative” factorsThose that failed (4) had 10 or more “negative” factors

Case Studies

Dallas Area Rapid Transit 1988 (failed 2-1)

Case Studies

Denton County TX 2002/3 (passed 3-1)

Case Studies

Denver RTD, 2004?

DART1988

Denton County TX

2002/3

DenverRTD

2004?

Identifiable congestion crisis Business community sponsorship -Elected officials endorsement

x -

?

DART1988

Denton County TX

2002/3

DenverRTD

2004?

$1 million campaign fund

x xRecent initiative experience xEnvironmental group support

?

DART1988

Denton County TX

2002/3

DenverRTD

2004?

Multiple transportation modes

x Includes highway funding

x xBenefits throughout area

x

X

DART1988

Denton County TX

2002/3

DenverRTD

2004?

Extension of existing rail system

x xTransit with good local reputation

x xStakeholder help with package

x

DART1988

Denton County TX

2002/3

DenverRTD

2004?

General election date

x Combination direct mail and TV ads xLack of effective opposition

x

?

?

DART1988

(failed 2-1)

Denton Co. 2002/3

(passed 3-1)

DenverRTD

(2004?)

Positive factors

Negative factors

Neutral or uncertain

5

10

0

7

6

2

1-5?

4?

10?

Minimize Negative Factors to Maximize Chances for

Top 12 Lessons LearnedCarl Guardino, President and CEO, Silicon Valley Manufacturing GroupHelped lead 5 winning transportation ballot measures since 1984Generating $13 billionCalifornia law requires 2/3 vote

Top 12 Lessons Learned

12. Names Matter; Timing is Everything“Taxpayers for Traffic Relief”General elections good; special elections badNo relation to good or bad economy

Top 12 Lessons Learned

11. Build the Product or Buy the ProductBuilding a coalition is criticalLimit the opposition by embracing as many groups as possible

Top 12 Lessons Learned

10. Data or Dogma?Surveys are vitalTest all ideas; don’t assume you know what the public wants

Top 12 Lessons Learned

9. Penny-wise or Pound-foolish?You get what you pay for with consultantsAvoid “political favors” or “friends” when selecting a consultant

Top 12 Lessons Learned

8. Headlines or Headway?“It is amazing what you can accomplish when you don’t care who gets the credit.”“Run silent – run deep”

Top 12 Lessons Learned

7. Private or Public-Driven Partnership?Private sector should lead the campaignTaxpayer-to-taxpayer message more credible

Top 12 Lessons Learned

6. Empower or OverpowerFind a role for everyone in the coalition

Top 12 Lessons Learned

5. Watchdog or Lapdog?Polling showed strong support for citizen watchdog committeeListen to the voters!

Top 12 Lessons Learned

4. FundraisingSufficient funding is critical (at least $1 million in most metro areas)Get up-front commitmentsRun frugal campaigns emphasizing voter contact

Top 12 Lessons Learned

3. Community OutreachSpeakers BureauEditorial Board visitsFree mediaPaid media

Top 12 Lessons Learned

2. Pros or Schmoes?Transportation professionals developed list of projectsPolitical professionals determined what voters would support

Top 12 Lessons Learned

1. Deliver or WitherPrevious delivery on promises is critical for future voter approval

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