Public Involvement and the Early Education Campaign: Washington State Case Studies Transportation...
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Public Involvement and the Early Education Campaign: Washington State Case Studies Transportation Choices Andrew Austin, Field Director [email protected]@transportationchocies.org
Public Involvement and the Early Education Campaign: Washington
State Case Studies Transportation Choices Andrew Austin, Field
Director
[email protected]@transportationchocies.org
253-732-9434 [email protected]
Slide 2
Local Reality: Transit Revenue Campaigns in Washington Local
Reality: Transit Revenue Campaigns in Washington
Slide 3
Weve passed 15 of 19 measures in the last 4 years Examples:
Mass Transit Now (Sound Transit) 2008 57% to 43% Mass Transit Now
(Sound Transit) 2008 57% to 43% Island Transit 2009 Passed 56% to
44% Island Transit 2009 Passed 56% to 44% Valley Transit 2010
Passed 75% to 25% Valley Transit 2010 Passed 75% to 25% Jefferson
Transit 2010 Passed Jefferson Transit 2010 Passed C-Tran,
Vancouver, WA Passed 56% to 44% in November 2011 C-Tran, Vancouver,
WA Passed 56% to 44% in November 2011
Slide 4
A Tale of Two Measures Pierce Transit Save Our Buses measure
fails in February 2011 with a 46% to 54% margin. Bus service has
been cut by 40%, buses stop running at 10pm. Pierce Transit Save
Our Buses measure fails in February 2011 with a 46% to 54% margin.
Bus service has been cut by 40%, buses stop running at 10pm. C-Tran
Preserve our Buses measure passes in Clark County by a 56% to 44%
measure. C-Tran Preserve our Buses measure passes in Clark County
by a 56% to 44% measure. Both in predominately suburban communities
Both in predominately suburban communities Both were approximately
$100,000 campaigns that had almost identical field plans (approx.
10,000 voter contact calls made) Both were approximately $100,000
campaigns that had almost identical field plans (approx. 10,000
voter contact calls made) Same political consultant and level of
involvement from Transportation Choices staff and resources Same
political consultant and level of involvement from Transportation
Choices staff and resources
Slide 5
Two Very Different Outcomes
Slide 6
Slide 7
Why Pierce Lost and C-Tran Won Organized opposition including
the local paper that didnt exist in Vancouver Organized opposition
including the local paper that didnt exist in Vancouver Tighter
campaign timeline with Feb. election in Pierce. Tighter campaign
timeline with Feb. election in Pierce. Slightly worse electorate in
Pierce Slightly worse electorate in Pierce Pre-campaign plan work,
education, and polling Pre-campaign plan work, education, and
polling
Slide 8
Setting yourself up for success: Pre-campaign to dos Polling is
crucial! Combine polling results with direct elected/board member
lobbying to craft a winning package. (If we didnt do this we
probably would have lost in Vancouver) Combine polling results with
direct elected/board member lobbying to craft a winning package.
(If we didnt do this we probably would have lost in Vancouver) If
polling says you cant win, dont do it, reassess and find
alternatives If polling says you cant win, dont do it, reassess and
find alternatives Other than package shaping, using polling to
craft your message and tone. Other than package shaping, using
polling to craft your message and tone.
Slide 9
Pre-campaign Targets Transit agency staff and board: Craft a
package that can win. Transit agency staff and board: Craft a
package that can win. Top target coalition partners and funders
(i.e. ATU & Chamber): Ideally everyone feels bought into the
decision going forward and was listened to throughout the process.
Top target coalition partners and funders (i.e. ATU & Chamber):
Ideally everyone feels bought into the decision going forward and
was listened to throughout the process. The general public/voters.
Craft media stories, LTEs, social media, blogs, etc. covering
decision to go to ballot in a way that aligns with future campaign
messaging. The general public/voters. Craft media stories, LTEs,
social media, blogs, etc. covering decision to go to ballot in a
way that aligns with future campaign messaging.
Slide 10
Setting up a big win! The Right Ask The Right Ask The Right
Message The Right Message An Existing and United Campaign Committee
from day -1. An Existing and United Campaign Committee from day
-1.Questions/Contact? Andrew Austin
[email protected]
253-743-9434@transpochoices@transitdude