Phoenix Special Election: Light Rail, Pensions On Aug. 27 Ballot

PHOENIX, AZ — Phoenix voters will decide two important ballot measures in a special election on Tuesday, Aug. 27 — one that would halt the city’s light-rail program, and another to cap spending until the city pays down its pension debt.

The election is open to all registered Phoenix voters who have lived within the city limits for at least 29 days prior to Aug. 27, the city said in a news release. The last date to register to vote in the election is July 29.

Notices have been mailed to about 548,000 registered Phoenix voters who are on the the city’s Permanent Early Voting List. They will automatically be sent a ballot. Additionally, registered voters who don’t receive notification can request a ballot until Friday, Aug. 16.

Voters may cast their ballot at voting centers over three days. The centers will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26; and 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. A complete list of voting centers is found on the city’s website.

The Arizona Republic published a story Tuesday on the special election ballot measures, who is behind them and how the election could affect city services.

Proposition 105, started by a group called Building a Better Phoenix, would stop the city from extending its light-rail system and require the city to divert the money it would have spent to other transportation needs.

Proposition 106, or the Responsible Budget Act, would freeze spending at current levels until the city pays down its $4 billion in pension debt. Among the provisions of the measure: If the city hasn’t funded 90 percent of its pension liability, it can only increase the budget to account for population growth or inflation (police agencies would be exempt). It also requires an annual assessment of pensions, requires the city to spend budget surplusses on pensions ends pensions for City Council members.

» Read more about the pros and cons of the ballot measures on the Arizona Republic.