After Years Of Uncertainty, North Bay Voters Decide SMART's Future

PETALUMA, CA — While county officials continue counting votes this morning after Tuesday's primary election, Measure B crossed the 70 percent threshold.

Voters gave the ballot measure to extend SMART's quarter-cent sales tax a commanding lead, with support topping 70 percent — more than 20 percentage points above the simple majority required for passage in Marin and Sonoma counties — according to election results released shortly after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The measure's passage gives SMART a stable funding source for another 30 years and clears the way for continued rail operations, pathway expansion, safety upgrades, and planned rail extensions to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.

A similar attempt in 2020 failed. This time SMART officials hailed the outcome as a strong endorsement of the rail system's role in connecting communities across Marin and Sonoma counties.

“Passing Measure B is an affirmation that our community believes in the future of SMART and understands the important role the rail and pathway play in the North Bay,” SMART Board Chair Chris Coursey said in a statement this morning. “Voters recognize that SMART is connecting people to jobs, schools, healthcare, and recreation while helping reduce traffic congestion and pollution across our region," he said.

SMART Vice Chair Mary Sackett credited a coalition of residents, elected leaders, transportation advocates, environmental groups, businesses, and labor organizations for the measure's success.

The quarter-cent sales tax voters approved in 2008 generates about $50 million a year and funds roughly half of SMART’s operating costs.

SMART has used the revenue — nearly $658 million collected since the agency’s launch — to build and operate a corridor between Larkspur Landing and Windsor.

SMART now carries more than 1.4 million passenger trips annually, according to agency figures.

In April, SMART increased weekday service and added connections to other North Bay transit.

The vote comes as SMART prepares to extend service to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.

“We need that sales tax to keep building,” Novato Mayor Kevin Jacobs said in May at a SMART groundbreaking ceremony in Healdsburg.