Voters in 14 states Nov. 7 approved 88 percent of 239 state and local ballot initiatives aimed at boosting transportation investment, according to preliminary results compiled by ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC).
These measures will generate an estimated $6.6 billion in one-time and recurring revenue for projects. They include immediate bonds as well as ongoing tax increases spread out over decades.
This year’s approval rate was in line with the 10-year average of 85 percent. Since 2014, voters in 43 states have approved nearly 2,600 state and local ballot measures, raising an estimated $341.5 billion in new and renewed revenue.
“Over a decade of data shows voters overwhelmingly support taxes and fees to improve their local roads and bridges. The message to elected officials is clear: people are willing to pay for better transportation,” said TIAC Director Carolyn Kramer Simons.
Local property tax questions in Ohio made up the bulk of referendum tracked in 2023. Voters there approved 87 percent of 140 measures, matching the state’s 10-year average— 88 percent of over 1,000 measures approved since 2014.
Texas continues to lead the nation in the amount of revenue approved. Voters approved 42 measures—primarily local sales taxes and bonds—to generate $4.18 billion for city, town, and county transportation improvements. Significant county bond measures in Williamson County and Fort Bend County will generate $1.5 billion of that new revenue. An additional 27 bond measures totaling $2.6 billion were approved to finance infrastructure development for Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)—new communities on vacant land outside of city limits. This revenue will be paid back gradually with property taxes from future residents.
Other election highlights:
- Fourteen counties in Georgia asked voters to approve special taxes that were either specific to or included road projects. Twelve counties approved these measures, which are expected to raise $650 million in revenue. Results are still pending for the other two counties.
- St. Paul, Minn. voters approved a new 20-year sales tax for improvements to streets and bridges ($738 million) and parks ($246 million).
- Spartanburg County, S.C. voted to renew a six-year sales tax worth $478 million to fund 577 road projects.
Seventeen measures are still pending results. Final results will be certified over the next few weeks. Visit the TIAC website, www.transportationinvestment.org, for updates.