TSPLOST Fails in Cobb, Metro Atlanta

The fierce battle between advocates and opponents of the TSPLOST has come to an end. The transportation sales tax has unofficially failed in all 10 metro Atlanta counties including Cobb, by 167,207 votes—a 26% margin, with 248,319 (37%) voted yes, and 415,526, (63%) voted no.

Cobb voters soundly rejected the referendum with 85,412 (69%) voted against it, and 38,703 (31%) voted in favor, out of the 124,115 votes cast on Tuesday. The 153 precincts didn't complete final reporting until around 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Voters in 12 regions across Georgia were asked to decide on the measure that has potential to generate more than $18 billion for transportation projects across the state over the next decade.

Supporters of the TSPLOST continued to campaign across the region until the final minutes of the Tuesday primary. and are both among the advocates, and said that passing the referendum would create jobs and improve congestion in the area. They also argue that the failure of the tax's passage would cause long-term economic damage to the region.

Opponents of the tax, including and Patch Blogger , suggest that the current TSPLOST package fails to address the real transportation problems in the metro Atlanta region and would only help bring in revenue and short-term jobs.

Here's how Cobb and other metro Atlanta counties voted:

Total:

248,319 (37%)

415,526 (63%)

663,845

*Unofficial results from the Cobb County Board of Elections & Registration as of 4 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.

How did you vote on the TSPLOST? Are you happy with the results? Tell us in the comments!

The regional transportation sales tax was the one issue that brought many people to the polls across metro Atlanta on Tuesday.

Marjorie Towerie, who voted Tuesday morning at Addison Elementary, said she voted against the TSPLOST because she was told "it was a con and that it wouldn't really help."

A Smyrna voter who preferred to remain anonymous said: "It's not the right time, especially for Cobb. I just don't think we'll get enough for the money."

“I pay enough taxes and I’m not going to pay any more,” said Stephanie, a Mableton resident.

if the 1-cent regional Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax had been approved Tuesday by the majority of voters in the 10-county metro Atlanta region. Residents would be paying the tax for either 10 years or until the expected $8.5 billion in revenues has been collected, whichever comes first.

were listed on either the 85 percent list, which were developed and approved by the Regional Roundtable; or the 15 percent list that included local projects. Each of Cobb County's four commissioners were allotted $34.69 million to give to projects in their districts.