August 23, 2019
Friends of Transit
The August 27th Phoenix Special Election is right around the corner. The ballot includes two propositions that, if passed, would dramatically affect the city’s future. The first measure, Prop. 105, pertains to light rail, and the second, Prop. 106, pertains to City of Phoenix pensions.
As of Tuesday night, the City of Phoenix reports that it already has received more than 143,000 ballots, representing 26% of all early ballots - a very strong turnout! We urge you to jump on the voting bandwagon - every vote counts!
We are proud that Friends of Transit has helped in many ways to get the word out. Please take the time to review the available information on the Phoenix Aug. 27th Special Election and vote!
- Prop. 105 was born from opposition to light rail expansion slated for south Phoenix.
- The authors contend that the cost of light rail is too high and that the system has a negative impact on the communities it passes through.
- Since the original 20-mile light rail line opened in 2008, ridership has consistently exceeded projections and economic development along the line has been rampant.
- If passed, Prop. 105 would halt the South Central Light Rail Extension and all planned light rail lines, including Capitol West and Metro Center North. Any city money budgeted to fund light rail would be diverted to other transportation needs.
- If passed, Prop. 105 would also essentially "send back" billions of federal dollars allocated to Phoenix to bring plans of a multi-line light rail system to fruition.
- The city’s portion of the money earmarked for light rail extensions comes from a $35.1 billion, 35-year transportation plan funded by a sales tax increase that Phoenix voters approved in 2015.
- Voters have approved light rail three times: 2000, 2004, and 2015. During those election cycles 500 community meetings were held to gather input from voters.
- The City of Phoenix is on track to pay down its $4 billion in pension liability (money owed retiring employees) over the next 25 years.
- Authors of the initiative want the city to pay down the pension liability more aggressively while foregoing “unnecessary” spending.
- "Unnecessary" spending includes many city services and neighborhood amenities including libraries, cultural attractions, senior/community centers, parks, public swimming pools, and road repairs. The spending freeze would also apply to education programs, economic development initiatives, and destination enhancing services such as the city’s contract with Downtown Phoenix, Inc.
- Public safety (police/fire) is the only service exempt from the initiative’s freeze on spending.
Voting Centers -
Voters in City of Phoenix elections are not required to vote at a specified polling place in the voter's precinct. Voters can use any of the voting centers to cast a ballot. The voting centers will be open for voting for THREE DAYS (list of days and times below). For faster service, voters are encouraged to bring their driver license, state-issued identification card, or voter identification card. Accessible voting devices that permit voters with disabilities to vote independently will be available at all voting locations.
The voting centers for this election will be open for three days:
- Saturday, August 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, August 26 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, August 27 (Election Day) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What to Bring -
- Have a mail-in ballot? Again, it is too late to mail your ballot in. Simply fill your ballot out, put it in the envelope, seal the envelope, and bring it to any voting location. You won’t have to wait in a line, check in with an election official, or show ID.
- Have a family or household member’s ballot? You can only drop other people’s completed, sealed & signed mail-in ballots off for them if they live in your household, are a family member, or you are their caregiver. It is illegal to drop anyone else’s ballot off.
- Don’t have a mail-in ballot? Go to any of the voting centers below. You will need proof of identity. For most, that is a driver’s license or a state-issued ID with your current address on it. If you don’t have that, don’t sweat it - click here for more information on other acceptable forms of identification.