The Charlotte Observer, N.C., Leigh Dyer Column: Black Voters Key to CATS’ Big Win

By Leigh Dyer, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Nov. 20–Black voters key to CATS’ big win Perspectives from African American voters who cast ballots in favor of the tax:

Leigh Dyer

African American voters were a key factor behind the landslide support earlier this month for a half-cent sales tax for mass transit, data released Monday by the Mecklenburg Board of Elections shows.

The data, showing voter demographics, confirms that efforts by black leaders to drum up support succeeded in reversing earlier opposition to the transit tax among African American voters.

Dwayne Collins, leader of the Black Political Caucus, said the transit tax would have been in trouble without the support of African Americans. But the margin of support was so large he was surprised. “I really thought it was going to be a lot closer,” he said.

With 70 percent of voters in Mecklenburg voting against repeal of the tax, support was broad across all sectors. But the new data shows African Americans — along with newcomer voters — were significant in pushing support higher than the 58 percent of voters who first approved the transit tax in 1998.

In precincts with high African American voter turnout, support for the transit tax was higher than the county’s overall margin. And newcomers were slightly more likely to vote in favor of the tax.

In 18 precincts, more than 80 percent of eligible African American voters cast ballots. In those precincts, support for the tax averaged 79 percent. Among voters who registered after 1998, which includes many newcomers, support for the transit tax averaged 71 percent.

Said Pat Mumford, leader of the anti-repeal effort: “There were significant margins everywhere. The support was phenomenal.”

A $516 million school bond issue was also key in sending voters to the polls.

A Charlotte Observer/WCNC News poll in August found 51 percent of black voters favored repealing the transit tax. And the petition drive that placed the tax on the Nov. 6 ballot received strong support in African American areas. In response, black leaders including former Charlotte mayor Harvey Gantt announced in September the formation of the African American Coalition Against Transit Tax Repeal.

African American leaders noted the tax also supports a bus system heavily used by minorities. Several community groups organized get-out-the-vote efforts in majority African American precincts.

African American voters originally had shown support for the tax in 1998.

James Worthey is among the African Americans who voted to continue to support the tax. “We don’t have enough mass transit,” he said. “Light rail is just a start. I’ve traveled all over the country. You don’t go to any major city without mass transit.”

The voter results “required both strong black support for transit and a strong vote from somebody in the white community. Evidently the latter was at least partly made up of newcomers,” said Ted Arrington, political scientist at UNC Charlotte. “Both were necessary for the size of the victory for transit.”

It’s not surprising that newcomers, many of whom hail from the Northeast and other cities where rail systems are commonplace, showed strong support, Arrington said.

“If you came in from New Jersey, you’re not only used to having a train, you’re also accustomed to having much higher taxes than we have here,” he said.

Jim Keller, who moved to Charlotte two years ago from Long Island, voted to keep the tax.

“Anyone who’s come from Long Island or Southern California or (similar) places knows it’s crazy. The traffic is just horrible (in those places),” he said. “I am a big believer in public transportation.” — Database Editor Ted Mellnik and Staff writer Jim Morrill contributed.

Newcomer reporter Leigh Dyer: 704-358-5058

Voters’ voices

Perspectives from African American voters who cast ballots in favor of the tax: “A lot of minorities need the bus system, and if fares go up, people aren’t going to be able to pay for it.” — William Crawford, a daycare owner who voted uptown.

“CATS (Charlotte Area Transit System) is bad enough as it is, and if any money were taken from it, it’d probably make things even worse.” — Megan Malachi, a UNC Charlotte graduate student.

“I don’t use the bus system but I know I live in a community totally dependent for support on those kinds of services. I think it’s incumbent on those of us who pay taxes to support the whole community.” — Hattie Anthony, who voted at the West Charlotte Community Center

“Coming from Denver, my biased opinion is that we have one of the best transit systems I’ve ever seen, and I believe Charlotte can eventually get there. It has made a massive impact on the quality of life (in Denver). And that half cent is nothing compared to what we used to pay in Denver.” — Eric Bailey, who moved to south Charlotte from Denver in 2005.

— Compiled by Leigh Dyer, Peter Smolowitz, Greg Lacour and Jim Morrill

More from voters

“I’m a rail supporter generally. I did have a positive experience in Portland and San Francisco. It’s really nice to have the option of not jumping in a car.” Ann Ross — who moved from Portland to Charlotte’s Plaza-Midwood neighborhood three months ago.

“I think rail systems are good for the kind of large urban area that Charlotte is rapidly becoming. They’re good for economic development (jobs go where rail goes) and good for the environment — fewer people depleting the ozone layer while sitting in single-passenger cars in stopped traffic on I-485 in Pineville!” John Holder — a Rock Hill native who lived in Washington, D.C., before returning to Charlotte support surprising after earlier polls

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