1. Getting on the Ballot and Getting the Ballot Right Che Watkins June 25, 2013

2. Getting on the Ballot 2007 - Introduced regional transportation funding legislation; no vote taken in House or Senate; study committee created. 2008 - Reintroduced regional transportation funding legislation; passed in the House (134-35) but failed to win 2/3 vote in Senate (35-18, failed by 3). 2009 - The Senate passed a regional transportation funding measure by a vote of 53-2 and the House passed a separate statewide funding proposal by a vote of 149-18. A conference committee was unable to reach a compromise between the two mechanisms. 2010 - The Georgia General Assembly passed the Transportation Investment Act. The House vote was 141-29 and the Senate vote was 43-8.

3. Ballot Language Ballot Question: Shall _____Countys transportation system and the transportation network in this region and the state be improved by providing for a 1 percent special district transportation sales and use tax for the purpose of transportation projects and programs for a period of ten years? Preamble: Provides for local transportation projects to create jobs and reduce traffic congestion with citizen oversight.

4. The Hand You Are Dealt Election date Size of region Project selection process Sunset date Timeline Exemptions

5. What You Can Control Governance – 501 c(3) and 501 c(4) (Citizens for Transportation Mobility and the Metro Atlanta Voter Education Network) Budget and fundraising ($8.8 million total) Community outreach (First Friday Group – over 150 organizations) Messaging (Keep it simple – whats in it for me?)

6. Budget and Fundraising ($8.8 million) Targeted mail (1.3M+ pieces; 20k handwritten postcards) Social Media, web/online (28M+ impressions) Broadcast (network, cable, radio) Corporate program (350+ companies) Outdoor (100+ boards) Field teams (26 FTEs) Speakers bureau (800+ presentations) Phones (2 million robocalls, 300k personal)

7. Key Messaging Jobs, Jobs, Jobs Less Traffic, More Jobs, Get Home Faster Need to keep Atlanta a Competitive Place that can create jobs Need to take steps toward a modern, clean and fast transit system for the entire region

8. And Sometimes…Final Vote 37-63 First-ever Regional Referenda for Georgia Complex Issue Economic conditions Trust in government Media Opposition No obvious Champions for entire region Large, Diverse Region (45% of GA population)