Phoenix To Spend Millions On Special Elections

Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 - 8:21am
Christina Estes/KJZZ
The March 2019 mayoral runoff election in Phoenix is expected to cost $1 million.

On Wednesday, the Phoenix City Council will vote to hold a special election focused on light rail funding this August. It’s just one election this year expected to cost taxpayers about a million dollars.

The other special election estimated to cost a million dollars is next month’s mayoral runoff between Kate Gallego and Daniel Valenzuela. That election also includes races to fill their former council seats in Districts 8 and 5.

In May, Councilman Michael Nowakowski will face a recall election. That cost will depend on whether a runoff election is needed for Council Districts 5 and 8.

The estimated million-dollar light rail election will focus on spending, but the exact wording must still be determined. Light rail opponents, who gathered signatures to get the issue on the ballot, want money slated for expansion to be spent on other transportation projects like more bus service and road repairs.

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