Local leaders are going to the ballot for transit, infrastructure, and housing
Voters in communities across the country are deciding right now on local ballot measures that would generate billions in new revenue for transit, infrastructure, and housing. These investments would reduce congestion, create jobs, maintain and expand transit service, build new housing, and connect people to the places they need to go and opportunities to thrive.
Accelerator for America Action is working alongside local leaders in many of these communities to provide expert counsel, polling and policy research, and connections to national peers and best practices to advance initiatives that reflect community priorities. Here’s a look at a few places with measures on the November ballot where AFA Action is providing support:
Bay Area, California: Two Measures, One Future For Transit
Bay Area voters will see two complementary measures on the ballot this November. Voters in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties will consider a Regional Transportation Measure, “Connect Bay Area,” that raises the sales tax to fund regional public transportation. Voters in San Francisco also will consider Measure H, “A Stronger Muni for All,” a parcel tax increase. Together, these measures could generate nearly $16.75 billion over the next 15 years for local transit agencies facing hundreds of millions in annual operating shortfalls and ensure that the Bay Area continues to offer comprehensive transit services. SPUR, a Bay-Area-based nonprofit, recently published a study that outlines what will happen if the measures do not pass.
Transit systems across the country are watching closely. As agencies in many cities face similar fiscal cliffs, the Bay Area's November results could signal what is possible — and what is required — to sustain public transportation.
Measure Spotlight: Bay Area, California
📍Stronger Muni For All (San Francisco)
📍 Connect Bay Area (5 Bay Area Counties)
Total potential revenue: $16.75 billion over 15 years
Charleston County, South Carolina: Building On Lessons Learned
“Yes for CHS” would renew an existing sales tax to bring in a projected $4.25 billion over the next 25 years for transportation, infrastructure, and greenspace investments to improve congestion, transit service, and community resilience. The initiative would fund resurfacing and maintenance of existing roads, safety improvements, a signal coordination program, debt service financing for major roadway projects, and the local share of Charleston’s seawall project to address flooding. It would also provide millions for the region's first rapid transit line and other public transit investments and support the county’s Greenbelt Program, which has preserved more than 28,000 acres for parks, green space, and conservation since 2004.
Additionally, the Yes for CHS campaign is advocating for an extension of a 2010 penny tax that will continue to fund new school construction and repairs, security, and technology across the county.
Measure Spotlight: Charleston County, South Carolina
Total potential revenue: $4.25 billion over 25 years
Charlotte, North Carolina: Housing Bond
In one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, voters in Charlotte, North Carolina, will decide on a $125 million affordable housing bond this November.
The housing bond would fund the city's Housing Trust Fund and Housing Diversity Program, supporting new construction and rehabilitation of both single family and multifamily housing, along with rental housing production, preservation and anti-displacement efforts, supportive housing and shelter capacity, and homeowner assistance.
This measure builds on the growth trend in recent years that projects future demand and increased revenue. In 2022, voters approved a $50 million housing bond and then a $100 million bond in 2024. The $125 million ask for 2026 continues that upward trend, reflecting the city's ongoing affordability pressures amid Charlotte's population growth.
Charlotte voters will also consider two other bonds: a $280 million transportation bond for road repair, congestion relief, and safety, and a $20 million neighborhood improvement bond. Together, the three bonds total $425 million. The vote follows the 2025 Mecklenburg County sales tax referendum, a one-cent sales tax increase that will generate a projected $19.4 billion over 30 years for roads, rail, and buses. AFA Action is proud to have supported that effort as well.
Measure Spotlight: Charlotte, North Carolina
Total potential revenue: $125 million over two years
More coming in 2026 and beyond
AFA Action is actively supporting several additional transit, infrastructure, and housing ballot measures in 2026 and is working with local leaders to plan for opportunities in 2027 and 2028.
Ballot measures for transit, infrastructure, and housing require years of groundwork: deep community engagement, broad coalition building, detailed plans with accountability and transparency provisions, data-driven messaging, and well-resourced campaigns.
AFA Action is committed to being a trusted partner to local leaders who are ready to make the case for investment in their communities' futures.
Want to learn more about how your community can pursue a local ballot measure? Visit acceleratoraction.org or reach out to our team.