By Evan Wyloge | Arizona Mirror
The South Phoenix neighborhoods where the fight over a light rail extension originated were the only areas in the city where Proposition 105 earned a majority, but voters in every other Phoenix neighborhood where light rail exists or is planned were among the most staunchly opposed to the measure, an Arizona Mirror analysis finds.
Overall, voters in the Aug. 27 special election roundly defeated Prop. 105, a ballot measure that sprang out of opposition to the proposed light rail extension south of downtown along Central Avenue, but which morphed into an effort to completely halt all new light rail projects. The ballot measure lost by a nearly two-to-one margin, with 63% voting it down.
With the exception of South Phoenix, proximity to existing rail lines or planned extensions translated into overwhelming opposition to Prop. 105. For instance, the ballot measure was crushed in downtown Phoenix, which houses the central hub for light rail, earning less than 13% support in some precincts.
Those already with light rail support it
