Local ballot measures are a popular and often successful way of generating funds for transit improvements. Success is not assured, however, and can take time, effort and money. The American Public Transportation Association brought experts together yesterday in a webinar designed to help advocates get these measures on the ballot and across the finish line.
In 2024, 18 of the 26 local, county and state transportation-related ballot measures tracked by Smart Cities Dive passed. In the November 2025 election, 13 of 16 such measures succeeded. These efforts brought billions of dollars to jurisdictions for rail and bus transit, microtransit and highway, road, pedestrian and bike improvements.
“There are different ways to get on the ballot, and you really need to talk to your election lawyers and the folks in [your] state to know how that is done in your jurisdiction,” Jessica Grennan, executive director of the APTA’s Center for Transportation Excellence, said during the webinar.
Legislative action and citizen-driven initiatives are two primary ways to get measures on the ballot. There are “upsides and downsides to both” options, said Maggie Muir, partner at KMM Strategies, a political media group. During the legislative process, changes could be made that drift from the advocate’s original intentions. “You may not like what you end up with, and you have less control over it than you would through a signature initiative,” she said.
But citizen-led initiatives can be costly, Muir said. “We have to raise as much for the signatures, almost as [much as] we do for the campaign phase.”
The panelists outlined five key strategies to help advocates succeed in getting on the ballot
1. Engage with the fund recipient. Begin conversations with the transit agency or department at least 18 months before the targeted election date.
2. Understand local rules. Each state and municipality has its own rules and procedures for getting a measure on the ballot.
3. Hire a lawyer or law firm. They will know what is required in your jurisdiction to gather signatures and get on the ballot, and how to draft the measure in compliance with local and state laws.
4. Hire a firm to help gather signatures. While volunteers are necessary, professionals are needed to acquire the large number of signatures to qualify for the ballot. “You really want to get a reputable firm that has done this before,” Grennan said.
5. Make sure the money on hand can cover expenses. “I won't even start a signature drive until we have at least half of our budget in the bank,” Muir said. Signature firms get paid upfront, and if funds run out, they’ll walk away, she said.
“We're having these really big battles to get things over the line, but transit is popular,” Muir said. “There are a lot of volunteers and folks out there who are very committed and devoted to transit.”
