Community Corner

Survey: White, Male Republicans Show Support for Transit Tax

Transportation survey shows results described as "against conventional wisdom."

A survey conducted by two community improvement districts found that white, male Republicans are the most supportive of a tax that would that would be used for regional transportation in Gwinnett County, including a potential light rail.

Chuck Warbington, Executive Director of the Gwinnett Village Community Improvement District, describes the findings as against conventional wisdom. "It is probably that there are blue collar workers who just can't afford another tax," said Warbington, who also pointed to the mood in Washington as a factor in this year's findings.

According to the survey, which was released today, 47 percent of males and 44 percent of Republicans would support a regional sales tax referendum for transportation in 2012, as opposed to 31 percent of females and 28 percent of Democrats.  Just 24 percent of black voters showed support for the measure.

Find out what's happening in Lilburn-Mountain Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It also found that 52 percent of people surveyed would "more likely favor" the tax if a list of the proposed project were available.

The Gwinnett Village CID, which just approved an $8 million budget last week, has conducted a similar survey for four years running. Warbinton said he hopes that the survey will help move forward the CID's vision for an extension of transportation from the Doraville MARTA station in the form of a light rail running to the Gwinnett Arena.  The group hopes that the I-85 Corridor Light Rail Transit System will become a part of the Gwinnett County 2030 Unified Plan.

Find out what's happening in Lilburn-Mountain Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The survey was conducted by phone by InsiderAdvantage and polled 800 registered voters in Gwinnett County, weighted for age, race and political affiliation.  The margin of error was 3 percent. Warbington said he and others at the CID did find the 20-quesiton survey to be a little lengthy.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here