West Seattle Democrats have "overwhelmingly" voted to support the November ballot measure "Mass Transit Now."

The project, supported by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels but opposed by King County Executive Ron Sims would add 36 miles of light rail (going to Lynwood, Microsoft, and Federal Way) and 100,000 additional hours for Metro bus service.

The 34th District Democrats voted for the measure at a meeting last week. They voted overwhelmingly to support this year's Mass Transit Now measure.

There were no speakers against the motion to endorse and only two reluctant hands raised in opposition compared to the enthusiastic 40 or so in support, the party said.

West Seattle's 34th District Democrats said they "recognized that even though the light rail component in this year's measure won't go to West Seattle, their public investment in mass transit will improve the entire region's transportation system, and sets the stage for West Seattle and Burien to see light rail in the future."

For example, the Democrats said, "in addition to the 100,000 new bus hours - a 17 percent increase in new service), adding light rail will free up existing buses to better serve neighborhoods like West Seattle and throughout the region."

Sims has said the additional hours of bus service is not nearly enough to solve the crush of new riders due to skyrocketing gasoline prices. However, the Democrat's news release says King County Council Member Dow Constantine of West Seattle "spoke in support of the measure at Wednesday night's meeting."