Technically it will be the fourth City and County of Honolulu question on the ballot given to voters on Nov. 4. However, for most people it will be known as "The Rail Question."

If residents don't know what that question is now, chances are they will by general-election day. That's because forces for and against the $3.7 billion elevated commuter rail plan to work from now until Election Day persuading voters to support or kill the project.

That's likely to make The Rail Question one of the more lively political campaigns this election season.

Just which rail question was going before voters was only settled last week when Stop Rail Now's anti-rail ordinance failed to make the ballot. Instead, the city will ask voters whether to "establish a steel wheel on steel rail transit system." The answer to that question could have a profound impact on the state for decades.

Among those in favor of rail are labor unions, land developers, the city, Mayor Mufi Hannemann and groups such as www.gorail go.com. On the other side are grass roots groups such as Stop Rail Now, www.Honolulutraffic .com and www.therailscam.com.

Both sides said they're focusing on winning public opinion on the rail transit issue. Starting this month, the Hawai'i Carpenters launched a second wave of TV ads touting the benefits of rail.

"Certainly now that we know what the question is, now that the Stop Rail Now petition has failed, we're going to encourage everyone to vote yes on the question," said Ron Taketa, business representative for the Hawai'i Carpenters, which has 7,800 members. "We'll continue it through until the general election."

Rail proponents argue the city needs to give commuters an alternative to highly congested H-1 Freeway. They contend that the commuter line with its 19 stations will encourage more sustainable urban development, reduce suburban sprawl and spur Hawai'i's flagging economy.

Opponents point to the costs, aesthetics and noise as potential problems. They argue that not enough people will use the trains and that cheaper alternatives would do more to reduce traffic congestion.

Groups such as the Hawai'i Carpenters have declined to disclose how much they are spending on an extensive pro-rail TV ad campaign. However the Carpenters, coupled with another union-backed group, Support Rail Transit, and Hannemann's campaign committee appear to have outspent anti-rail groups by a large margin.

Just how that ad blitz has shaped voter opinion is unclear. However, recent polls suggest that a majority of residents support the train project, which would connect East Kapolei to Ala Moana.

Anti-rail groups acknowledge that there's a tough battle ahead. Stop Rail Now said it's mobilizing volunteers who helped gather more than 49,000 signatures on the group's anti-rail petition. They'll be formed into teams that will canvass neighborhoods, distribute fliers and send out letters, said Stop Rail Now co-founder Dennis Callan.

The group, which says it has raised and spent about $60,000, also will begin soliciting support from petition signers, which could help fund a small-scale print and radio ad campaign.

"That's part of our base of support," Callan said. "There's 49,000 names and addresses there. We'll be hoping they send in an average of $5 or $10. That'll add up to something.

"It's a political campaign and we're going to be doing what we can to educate the public."

The rail question will be the last of four proposed city Charter amendments appearing on the Nov. 4 ballot. The language of the City Council resolutions behind those Charter amendments is available on the city's Web site at www.honoluluelections.us.

However, the job of educating voters on the pros and cons of each won't be conducted by the City Clerk's Office, said Honolulu elections administrator Glen Takahashi.

"There won't be a pamphlet or anything like that," he said. "The questions are pretty straightforward I think. We do our best to provide information as a service, but we won't do any explanation or interpretive clarification just because things can be interpreted in many different ways."