How you ask matters

In "Outcome of MARTA vote in Gwinnett signals shift to regional transit," Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Maria Saporta reports on a nonbinding referendum on extending MARTA, the local heavy rail transit line, to Gwinnett County. The question was asked of voters in the primary election, and the question read differently depending on if you were a Republican voter or a Democratic voter.

From the article:

Did the split decision in Gwinnett’s non-binding vote on a 1 percent sales tax for a MARTA expansion hurt or help plans for a regional transit system? And was the wording of the MARTA question on Tuesday’s ballot designed to get a “no” vote?

The question on the Republican ballot was:

Would you support an extension of the MARTA Rail line into Gwinnett County, which would include an additional one-cent sales tax?

The vote was 63 percent against and 37 percent in favor.

The question on the Democratic ballot was:

Would you support a 1 percent sales tax increase to extend MARTA into Gwinnett County?

That vote was 70 percent in favor and 30 percent against.

The question lost, narrowly. But it wasn't official. MARTA, the local transportation authority, wasn't involved. Interesting how a more direct question received greater support.