Kansas City voters have decisively rejected a proposed sales tax intended to fund renovations for the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium and the construction of a new downtown ballpark for the Royals. The final results, with 100% of precincts reporting, showed a 58% to 42% defeat for the measure, known as Question 1, with 'No' votes tallying at 78,352 and 'Yes' votes at 56,606. The vote was closely watched, with early and absentee ballots in suburban Jackson County indicating a lean towards 'No' with 56% against and 44% in favor. As the count progressed, the gap widened, culminating in a significant 16-point defeat. This outcome leaves the future of the Chiefs and Royals in Kansas City uncertain, as both teams may now consider relocation options. Critics of the proposal, including local media and sports commentators, highlighted the campaign's perceived dishonesty and the problematic nature of subsidizing sports stadiums with taxpayer money. The rejection marks a notable moment in Kansas City's sports history, echoing past instances where stadium funding proposals faced public opposition.
Voters reject Jackson County stadium measure for Kansas City Chiefs, Royals https://t.co/qZSCo3O236
Today's newsletter is out! Inside: Recaps, the failure of the K.C. referendum, the passing of Larry Lucchino, a WWII correction, Substack shadiness, walking, the end of a scam, and a new bit. https://t.co/PrVU2V56Mz
Losing stadium vote has happened before in KC. Here's how teams responded 2 decades ago https://t.co/bmYMbcBMtg
The story isn't that the Royals ballpark vote lost, it's that it was crushed. The 16-point gap is too big to be explained by poor messaging, the Chiefs' weird and pointless stadium remodel, or even Frank White. The vote lost because no one knew exactly what they were voting for.
So, what happens after a stadium vote loses in Kansas City? It’s happened here before, 20 years ago, as @BlairKerkhoff reminds here ... https://t.co/6bw0Al9qB5
No wonder A's are fighting a Nevada state teachers initiative to put a $380 million stadium subsidy bill on the ballot for a statewide vote. The KC Chiefs/Royals stadium sales tax public vote goes down to defeat today.
Chiefs lose stadium renovation vote, leaving their future in doubt. https://t.co/c912qTHgkq
Final Results for Question 1 (100% reporting) No 78,352 - 58% Yes 56,606 - 42% @610SportsKC
Voters just rejected this ridiculous effort by the Chiefs and Royals. They'll now threaten to leave the city. Let them. The farthest the Chiefs can go is Kansas. I wrote two weeks ago about the situation: https://t.co/EEDUOBFGcP
ICYMI: @jacobs71 and I just finished our live Q&A answering your Chiefs questions with live coverage of the stadium sales tax question vote. Sales tax is falling 58-42 with nearly all precincts reporting. Plan B is next for Chiefs, Royals after 2030. https://t.co/49gX7Hf68N
KC mayor calls it for "No" on Question 1. Arrowhead upgrades, new downtown ballpark for Royals defeated https://t.co/U5xHWf0CzD
Kansas City major says "No" wins Question 1 on Chiefs upgrades and Royals new stadium in Crossroads https://t.co/U5xHWf0CzD
Stadium sales tax - 14% of the Jackson County vote: Yes - 5509 - 39% No - 8543 - 61% @KMBC
Suburban Jackson County Absentee/Early totals: No 56, Yes 44 https://t.co/TeXrykE5qg
Today's newsletter includes some talk about the Royals/Chiefs stadium referendum today. Separate and apart from subsidizing sports being bad business, the campaign in favor of it has been blatantly dishonest. https://t.co/bxx69UGhUu https://t.co/mw1as2gqnm
Today's newsletter is long but it's got a lotta good bits in it. A no-hitter, Clevinger signs, Chisholm whines, the Royals stadium vote, Giants idiocy, boo Florida, and yay H-E-B. Also, what 40 year-old pitchers do in the hotel after the game. https://t.co/bxx69UGhUu
Polling shows that Tuesday's vote for taxpayer money for Kansas City stadium projects will be close. https://t.co/ZjzrMedyqu