"Growth at the Ballot Box: Electing the Shape of Communities in November 2000".

• Position: Brief Article

Myers, Phillis and Puentes, Robert

The Brookings Institution Center on Urban and Metropolitan Policy, February 2001

During the November 2000 elections, 533 growth-related measures were considered by voters. These ballot measures were generally for the purpose of authorizing funds, amending administrative rules and regulations, and providing advice. Of these measures, 72.2 percent passed. Some of the various aspects considered were economic development, governance/flexibility, growth management, and infrastructure development. Openspace and park measures were very popular during the election. Voters showed a preference for open-space proposals with specific funding plans, rather than just general authorizations. Support for transportation initiatives was mixed, while regulatory restrictions on growth were contentious. Suburban areas were responsible for 73 percent of the measures considered and had high levels of support for open-space measures. Urban areas had the fewest number of ballots, but did show a high level of support for the open-space initiatives that were proposed. Economic development proposals made up a high p roportion of urban proposals. Rural areas showed a preference for local open-space proposals, infrastructure development, and economic development. A number of lessons can be taken from the experiences of...