New Spurs arena faces uphill election battle, poll shows
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A plurality of likely Bexar County voters say they plan to cast a ballot against increasing the venue tax to fund a new Spurs arena downtown, per a poll conducted this month.
Why it matters: With only days left until early voting begins, both supporters and opponents face a crunch to get their message out.
By the numbers: 46% of people polled say they will vote against the arena funding, Proposition B. Another 14% say they aren't sure how they will vote, per the survey from UT San Antonio's Center for Public Opinion Research (CPOR).
- Voters were more open (44%) to increasing the venue tax to expand the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Proposition A.
How it works: CPOR polled 660 likely Bexar County voters from Oct. 1-3 in English and Spanish. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.8%.
- The poll showed voters the exact ballot language, which does not include the funding amounts.
Catch up quick: The Spurs are looking to leave the Frost Bank Center for a new arena at Hemisfair. A nonbinding deal lays out the funding framework for a $1.3 billion arena.
- The only funding portion that requires a public vote is $311 million from increasing Bexar County's venue tax, which will be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
What they're saying: "Support for ballot propositions is always very fluid, especially in this case where the subject matter — a venue tax — is pretty dense," Bryan Gervais, UT San Antonio political science professor and CPOR director, said in a statement.
- "That said, it's fair to say that the effort to secure venue tax funding for a new Spurs arena faces an uphill battle."
What's next: Early voting runs Oct. 20-31.