News
Afternoon Spin: Tonight's Tunnel Vote
We can't predict which side of the tunnel debate is going to win tonight, but we can predict what they're going to say---no matter what happens.
If Ref. 1 (the pro-tunnel campaign) wins:
The pro-tunnel side will say: "This is a decisive vote on the tunnel. After 700 meetings, tens of thousands of public comments, and a definitive statement tonight, the people have said no more dithering. They want to move forward on this important project."
The anti-tunnel side: "We're glad our grassroots effort forced this important issue onto the ballot, but ultimately, we were outspent by $400,000 by a campaign funded with large contributions from companies with vested interests in getting the tunnel built."
If Ref. 1 loses:
The pro-tunnel side: "This was not a vote on the tunnel. It has always been a vote about process, and we're confident the city and state are committed to moving forward with this project."
The anti-tunnel side: "The people were finally given the opportunity to have their voices heard on the tunnel, and they've spoken. Seattle residents are not willing to foot the bill for this risky project, and they want an alternative."
Footnotes:
1) Ironically, a win for the tunnel could be the best thing that ever happened to anti-tunnel crusader Mayor Mike McGinn, who has been noticeably quiet during the campaign. A win for the tunnel would compel the mayor to be quiet about the project. McGinn's outspoken obsession with the tunnel is the biggest reason for his lackluster (23 percent) approval rating.
2) According to King County Elections, only about 24 percent of voters have turned in their ballots so far---far below the initial 52 percent projection. Whichever side wins, the losing side will have the opportunity to claim the vote was not a mandate.
3) If the anti-tunnel side wins, expect to see a mad dash by the pro-tunnel side to poll voters to find out how the vote broke down---pro-rebuild, or pro-surface/transit---to make the case that the vote wasn't an endorsement of McGinn's green surface/transit alternative.
4) The pro-tunnel campaign has been making the case for months that tonight's vote is merely a vote on process, not on the tunnel itself. Watch for them to reverse that position the second voters approve their referendum.
If Ref. 1 (the pro-tunnel campaign) wins:
The pro-tunnel side will say: "This is a decisive vote on the tunnel. After 700 meetings, tens of thousands of public comments, and a definitive statement tonight, the people have said no more dithering. They want to move forward on this important project."
The anti-tunnel side: "We're glad our grassroots effort forced this important issue onto the ballot, but ultimately, we were outspent by $400,000 by a campaign funded with large contributions from companies with vested interests in getting the tunnel built."
If Ref. 1 loses:
The pro-tunnel side: "This was not a vote on the tunnel. It has always been a vote about process, and we're confident the city and state are committed to moving forward with this project."
The anti-tunnel side: "The people were finally given the opportunity to have their voices heard on the tunnel, and they've spoken. Seattle residents are not willing to foot the bill for this risky project, and they want an alternative."
Footnotes:
1) Ironically, a win for the tunnel could be the best thing that ever happened to anti-tunnel crusader Mayor Mike McGinn, who has been noticeably quiet during the campaign. A win for the tunnel would compel the mayor to be quiet about the project. McGinn's outspoken obsession with the tunnel is the biggest reason for his lackluster (23 percent) approval rating.
2) According to King County Elections, only about 24 percent of voters have turned in their ballots so far---far below the initial 52 percent projection. Whichever side wins, the losing side will have the opportunity to claim the vote was not a mandate.
3) If the anti-tunnel side wins, expect to see a mad dash by the pro-tunnel side to poll voters to find out how the vote broke down---pro-rebuild, or pro-surface/transit---to make the case that the vote wasn't an endorsement of McGinn's green surface/transit alternative.
4) The pro-tunnel campaign has been making the case for months that tonight's vote is merely a vote on process, not on the tunnel itself. Watch for them to reverse that position the second voters approve their referendum.
