Transit Ballot Initiatives Workshop
December 14-16, 2026 | Nashville, TN
About the Workshop: Join transportation leaders, advocates, campaign experts, and elected officials from across the country for an in-depth exploration of what it takes to win public support for transit investment and translate that support into lasting community impact.
Transit ballot measures have become one of the fastest-growing sources of funding for public transportation, empowering communities to invest in the mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life they want for the future. As federal, state, and local funding landscapes continue to evolve, voter-approved initiatives are playing an increasingly important role in advancing transit projects, modernizing systems, and expanding access.
The success of recent transit campaigns in Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, Michigan, and more have created a wealth of practical knowledge that can help other communities navigate their own paths to victory.
Participants will explore every stage of the ballot initiative process, from laying out the groundwork years before an election to building diverse coalitions, developing winning messages, navigating legal requirements, and responding to opposition. Sessions will examine how mayors and local leaders have championed transit investments, what happens after a measure passes, and how agencies can successfully transition from campaign mode to implementation and delivery.
Whether you are just beginning to explore a ballot initiative, actively planning a campaign, or preparing to implement voter-approved investments, this workshop will provide actionable strategies, proven practices, and valuable peer-to-peer insights to help your community build support for transit and secure the resources needed for long-term success.
Center for Transportation Excellence (CFTE) is a project of APTA. CFTE is a clearinghouse for information in support of quality transportation choices. CFTE is committed to two main objectives: (1) defending the merits of transit and (2) equipping local leaders with the information they need to be successful with their public transportation initiatives and ballot measures. Check out CFTE.org for more info about this Transit Ballot Initiatives Workshops and other CFTE initiatives.
Who should attend: Elected officials, Transit agency executives and public affairs staff, members of local transit boards, local business leaders and chambers of commerce, community transit advocates, campaign professionals, other persons interested in community vitality and transit investment.
Transit Ballot Initiatives Workshop
Join transportation leaders, advocates, campaign experts, and elected officials from across the country for an in-depth exploration of what it takes to win public support for transit investment and translate that support into lasting community impact.