Paths to the Ballot: Lessons from CFTE’s Route to Transit Ballot Success Webinar

By Nicole Watkins | 4/1/2026

Research Director
Center for Transportation Excellence

Transit experts, advocates, and professionals from across the country joined APTA’s Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE) for its first webinar of 2026, “Route to Transit Ballot Success: Paths to the Ballot.” The webinar tackled one of the most fundamental strategic choices facing any transit ballot campaign: choosing a path to the ballot. Whether through a citizen-led signature drive or a legislative referral, the path a region pursues shapes its timeline, budget, risks, and political strategy.

Facilitated by APTA’s Vice President of Policy Art Guzzetti, the conversation convened three seasoned experts: Maggie Muir of KMM Strategies, part of the “Connect Bay Area” signature campaign; Kirk Hovenkotter, executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, who has advanced transit measures across the state of Washington; and Jessica Grennan, veteran ballot‑measure strategist and executive director of the CFTE. Each offered a candid look at the legal, political, and logistical realities of ballot access.

Attendees received a clear message: the rules matter, and vary dramatically by state and locality. As Grennan put it, “Measure twice, cut once. Know your laws, check them again, and then call your lawyers.” From signature thresholds to ballot language requirements, the legal backdrop can determine which strategy is feasible.

From there, panelists compared citizen-led signature campaigns and legislative referrals:

Citizen‑Led Signature Campaigns

  • Provide greater control over measure content and, in some states, a lower vote threshold for passage
  • Engage volunteers and activists early, helping build visibility and momentum
  • Require reputable paid firms to meet high signature thresholds, maintain quality control, and ensure compliance with state rules
  • Demand long lead times—often a year or more—and significant funding for professional signature gathering
  • Carry operational risks, including formatting errors, low validity rates, failing to secure enough signatures, and the possibility of exhausting funds mid‑campaign

Legislative Referrals

  • Avoid the cost and uncertainty of signature gathering
  • Often involves political negotiation through hearings, amendments, and compromise
  • Require early, sustained engagement with elected officials and coalition-building
  • Depend on long-term relationship-building—typically beginning 18+ months before election day—to build trust, align priorities, and demonstrate added value
  • Rely on broad, diverse coalitions (e.g., business, labor, climate, and social justice) to signal support, mobilize early resources, and counter opposition
Route to Transit Ballot Success Webinar Cover Slide

Panelists also shared practical lessons: build trust with transit agencies early, secure broad coalitions, validate signatures continuously, and don’t begin a signature drive without at least half the budget in place.

A recording of this webinar, and past webinars, is available on APTAU. 

For those considering a transit ballot measure, CFTE can provide campaign advice, messaging resources, an extra set of eyes to review an RFP, help with brainstorming potential community allies, and more. Reach out to info@cfte.org to connect. 

Mark your calendars: CFTE’s Transit Ballot Initiative Workshop returns December 14-16 in Nashville. Stay tuned for registration updates.

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