Results are in from August 20th’s Straw Ballot on expanding rapid transit, and Miami Beach residents voted in favor by a 4-1 margin.
With 100% of the votes counted, unofficial results show that 80.1% voted in support of expanding rapid mass transit, defined as Metrorail, passenger rail, and/or Metromover, in the ballot question.
Nearly 20 years ago, when this issue was last presented to voters, Miami Beach residents also voted in favor of expanding transit. This time, the margins are even wider.
The overwhelming support should serve as a wakeup call to elected officials at City Hall. Earlier this year, the Miami Beach City Commission unanimously passed a resolution opposing the long-planned Baylink Metromover extension from downtown to South Beach via the MacArthur Causeway.
The main opposition came from board members of neighborhood associations in the South of Fifth and West Avenue neighborhoods. Yet, residents from these neighborhoods voted 77% in favor.
Overall, with over 9,000 votes cast, nearly 7,300, or just over 80% of residents, supported this measure.
By contrast, the Mayor received slightly under 5,500 votes when he was elected last November.
Stay tuned to Better Streets as we continue to analyze and provide commentary on this historic vote.