Interest in expanding Seattle’s 1962 monorail line throughout the city gained momentum with signature-gathering petitions in 1994. In 1997, in spite of almost total opposition by the political establishment, city voters approved Initiative 41 for monorail expansion. Three years later voters approved an additional measure for planning money. Over the next few years, design and funding of the first phase of the project continued to be controversial. In November 2004 another plan to cancel the monorail expansion, Initiative 83 was placed on the ballot, however voters rejected the “Monorail Recall” by 64% to 36%.

The poster pictured here attempts to counteract the confusing wording of Initiative 83 (a “yes” vote meant to block the monorail project, while a “no” vote meant that the project should continue), by emphasizing the word "No" in the phrase "No Recall, No I-83, No More Delay." Despite voter support, and amid ongoing controversy and funding challenges, Mayor Greg Nickels canceled the project in September 2005.

Caption information source: The Seattle Times: September 16, 2005, p. B1; September 17, 2005, p. A11.