Once again, off-year elections remind us that when organized communities show up, change follows, especially when it comes to transit at the ballot box. Across the country, voters said yes to investing in their own communities, even when that meant higher local taxes. Campaigns in both Charlotte and Kalamazoo demonstrated that people are willing to invest in systems when they believe they will improve their everyday lives. In the case of local transportation ballot initiatives, this could mean faster buses, safer streets, and reliable connections to jobs and schools.

But these wins didn’t happen by chance. They were the result of smart, trust-based campaigns that connected policy to people’s routines and framed transit as a shared value, not just a public service. 

Two big wins highlight voters' continued support for better transit in their communities. 

Last week, Mecklenburg County voters approved a one-cent sales tax increase, estimated to generate roughly $19 billion to $25 billion over the next 30 years, to fund road, rail, and bus/micro-transit improvements. 40% of the revenue generated will be devoted to rail, 20% to bus/micro-services, and 40% to roads.

The Charlotte area is no stranger to running ballot measures and frequently asks its citizens to approve questions ranging from criminal justice to voting rights to public improvements. This referendum builds on their long tradition of local government taking action rather than waiting for the state or federal government, rallying around the idea that organized communities can deliver major infrastructure upgrades by turning out in off-year elections.  

Voters in Kalamazoo County also overwhelmingly approved the renewal and modest increase of the millage (local property tax) for the Central County Transportation Authority (CCTA). The measure raised the levy from 0.9 to 1.1 mills for five years beginning in 2026, and passed with approximately 67.6% of the vote. 

The Kalamazoo campaign emphasized continuity of service (including fixed-route buses, the recently introduced on-demand “Metro Link” service, and expanded access). It showed that even in a modest small-city market, with a soft economy, constituency-driven turnout still translates into transit wins.

Generally, Charlotte followed some broadly accepted strategies in their ballot measure campaign.

Campaign organizers recognized that asking voters to approve a one-cent sales tax increase in a soft economy and in an off-year election was an uphill battle. Their communication strategy involved translating complexity into everyday impact and demonstrating how revenue would fund new rail lines, improved buses, and safer streets, rather than vague “infrastructure”.

Campaign leaders emphasized transparency and trust, sharing precise breakdowns of where funds would be spent and when improvements would be felt. Organizers also localized their messaging and explained how each neighborhood, from South End to University City, would benefit. The diverse coalition they organized successfully amplified that message: business groups, community organizations, and faith leaders all spoke about mobility as opportunity.

Even the ballot language itself focused on clarity, with factual and easy-to-understand language. Together, these choices built a credible, supportable narrative: pay a little more, get a city that works better for everyone.

In Kalamazoo County, the 2025 transit millage renewal campaign was notable for its straightforward approach, keeping the message simple and grounded in everyday experiences. Voters approved the renewal and modest increase for the Central County Transportation Authority (CCTA), which raises the rate from 0.9 to 1.1 mills for a five-year term starting in 2026. This passed with nearly 67.6% support, according to WMUK.

The campaign’s communication strategy emphasized trust, reliability, and local voice. Pre-election coverage by NowKalamazoo highlighted how supporters framed the measure as essential for maintaining fixed-route bus service and expanding new on-demand options, such as Metro Link, to ensure mobility for workers, seniors, and students.

Organizers used community storytelling rather than paid advertising and featured riders, drivers, and neighborhood advocates who explained what losing service would mean for them. They also used plain-language cost framing: a few extra dollars per month for each homeowner would sustain countywide transit for the next five years.

By keeping communication local, transparent, and human, the Kalamazoo campaign demonstrated that small communities can win big when they make transit personal.

The 2025 election cycle once again demonstrated that when communities organize around what matters most, like reliable transit, safer streets, and everyday access, voters respond positively more often than not. From Charlotte’s clarity and coalition-building to Kalamazoo’s trust-driven storytelling, both cities showed that transparency and local voice can still win hearts, even in tough economic times. 

The takeaway? Big results start with simple, value-based, and people-centered communication that makes policy personal. As we look ahead to the next round of ballot measures, campaigners everywhere can learn from these wins to build momentum for more equitable, connected communities.

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