The U.S. state of Washington has had a system of direct voting since gaining statehood in 1889. Citizens and the state legislature both have the ability to place new legislation, or legislation recently passed by the state legislature, on the ballot for a popular vote. Washington has three types of ballot measures that can be voted on in a general election: initiatives, referendums, and legislatively referred constitutional amendments. In order to be placed on the ballot, supporters of a measure must gather signatures from registered voters.[1] From 1898 to 1912, the only ballot measures allowed were legislatively referred constitutional amendments. In 1912, an amendment successfully passed to create a citizen-led process for initiatives and referendums, and the first successful initiative was passed in 1914.[2]
Since adopting this process, ballot measures have become widely accepted as part of Washington's electoral system. As of 2020,[update] over 2,000 different initiatives had been filed with the state, along with a significantly smaller number of referendums.[3][4][5][6] Of those, only a fraction have received the required signatures to be placed on the ballot.[2] In recent years, ballot measures have been used to legalize politically contentious policies such as assisted suicide, same-sex marriage, and marijuana use.[7][8][9] The use of signature gatherers (workers paid to gather signatures for ballot measures) has attracted significant controversy in the state, as has some activists' aggressive approach to ballot measures.[10][11]
Washington entered the United States as a territory in 1853 and was admitted as the 42nd state on November 11, 1889.[12] The Constitution of Washington, which had itself been approved by a vote of the people, laid out the first guidelines for ballot measures. Article XXIII, Section 1 dictated that constitutional amendments required passing by a two-thirds vote in the state legislature and being approved by a majority of voters in the next general election. This section also required that details of the amendment should be published in newspapers across the state before election day.[13]
In 1912, Constitutional Amendment Article II, Sec. 1 passed. This amendment granted people the power to place measures on the ballot every election via petition. For one of these measures to be valid, it needed signatures of support from at least eight percent of the voting population, based on turnout from the previous election.[13] Initiatives allowed people to propose new laws and referendums allowed people to challenge laws passed by the legislature. This system of "direct legislation" had previously been implemented in Oregon by William Simon U'Ren. In the time since this amendment's passage, initiatives and referendums have become a prominent piece of Washington's electoral landscape.[2]
The prominence of ballot measures, especially citizen-submitted ones, has allowed Washington to lead the nation in social issues. In 1910, people approved an amendment granting women the right to vote, making Washington the fifth state to guarantee women's suffrage.[14] The passage of Initiative Measure 1000 (the "Death with Dignity Act") in 2008 made Washington the second state in the nation to legalize assisted suicide.[7] The following year, voters approved Referendum Measure 71, which marked the first time voters had expanded recognition of queer relationships at the ballot box.[15] In 2012, Referendum Measure 74 passed, making Washington the ninth state to recognize same-sex marriage and the third to do so by popular vote.[8] That same year, the passage of Initiative Measure 502 led to Washington becoming the first state to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use.[9]
While state law on signature gathering includes a recommendation that organizers should not be paid to gather signatures, the practice of paying workers per signature gathered has been legal in Washington since 1994.[16] Supporters of the practice claim that it allows campaigns to extend their reach and makes ballot access more accessible and point to measures that have passed with widespread public support as evidence. The practice has been criticized for potentially allowing campaigns to "buy their way onto the ballot", most notably by former Secretary of State Ralph Munro.[17][10] Some paid signature gatherers have been arrested on charges of forgery and election fraud for placing fake signatures on petitions.[18][19]
Since sponsoring his first measure in 1997, Tim Eyman has been the most prolific sponsor of initiatives and referendums in the state.[20] He has had 17 initiatives placed on the ballot as of 2021, with 11 being approved. Of those, only two have not since been overturned or modified by the courts.[11][21] Eyman's 2007 Initiative Measure 960 passed with 51% of the vote and created a new system of "advisory votes" for all tax increases passed by the legislature in Washington. While most of this initiative was overturned by the Washington Supreme Court in 2013, this system still stands. Advisory votes are not legally binding and exist solely to measure public approval, as such, they are not considered to be ballot measures.[22][23]
Types of ballot measuresedit
A ballot from 2012 showing Referendum 74 and Initiative 502, which legalized gay marriage and marijuana.
Initiativesedit
There are two types of initiatives in Washington.
Initiatives to the People are placed on the ballot and, if passed, become law. These initiatives require a number of signatures equal to or greater than eight percent of the votes cast in the previous state gubernatorial race. The signatures must be gathered over a period of six months.[13][24]
Initiatives to the Legislature are first submitted to the Washington Legislature for consideration. These initiatives require a number of signatures equal to or greater than eight percent of the votes cast in the previous state gubernatorial race. The signatures must be gathered over a period of ten months. If the legislature passes the initiative, it is enacted into law. If the legislature rejects the initiative, it is placed on the ballot for a vote of the people. If the legislature passes an alternative version, both the original and modified version will appear on the ballot.[13][24]
Referendumsedit
There are two types of referendums in Washington.
Referendum measures are laws that have been passed by the legislature and are up for recall. These referendums require a number of signatures equal to or greater than six percent of the votes cast in the previous state gubernatorial race.[13][24]
Referendum bills are proposed laws that are placed on the ballot by the legislature. If passed by a public vote, they become law.[13][24]
Legislatively referred constitutional amendmentsedit
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments are changes to the Washington State Constitution which have been approved by the legislature but require approval from the people. They require a two-thirds vote in the state legislature before being placed on the ballot.[13]
1800sedit
1898edit
Ballot Measures from 1898
Measure name
Description
Status
Yes votes
No votes
Constitutional Amendment Article VII, Sec. 2
An amendment creating a standard rate of taxation that would have been applied to all property in the state[25]
An amendment determining that all laws, except those relating to the budget and those passed in a state of emergency, should go into effect 90 days after being signed by the governor[31]
A measure requiring convicts to act as employees for infrastructure projects such as the construction of highways, with their paychecks being sent to their dependent families[32]
A measure banning the practice of mandatory overtime and requiring that employers offer additional pay if their employees worked more than eight hours in a single day[32]
A measure granting the state government the power to regulate individuals and businesses involved in the selling of securities, for the purpose of preventing fraud[32]
A measure abolishing the state's "bureau of inspection and supervision of public offices" and transferring all power and responsibility held by the office to the state auditor[32]
A measure creating a public retirement fund for teachers and school administrative officials, with the fund being overseen by an independent board of trustees.[32]
A measure authorizing $40,000,000 in funds for an irrigation project in Grant, Adams, Chelan, and Douglas counties (equivalent to $1,200,000,000 in 2023)[32]
A measure prohibiting the production, distribution, and storage of alcoholic beverages, except in cases when alcohol has been prescribed by a doctor[32]
A measure allowing private citizens to purchase alcoholic beverages for home use, allowing hotels to sell alcoholic beverages, and implementing a licensing system for producers and sellers[34]
A measure legalizing the production and sale of beer, provided it has an alcohol content between one and four percent and the producer and seller are licensed by the state[34]
An act creating state and county-level political conventions for each party and instead requiring them to nominate their candidates for office at convention rather than through a primary election[34]
A measure requiring that public utility services gain certification from a state-level commission, with certifications only being awarded if the commission sees a need for a new utility service[34]
A measure requiring that local governments, school districts, parks districts, and port districts set budgets every year and only incur expenses within the confines of their budget[34]
A measure prohibiting the sale, manufacture, and storage of alcohol for all purposes except religious. This measure would supersede previous ballot measures which established that alcohol was only acceptable for medical reasons.[36]
An amendment fixing the salary of the state governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, attorney general and superintendent[38]
A measure requiring the government to pay veterans of World War One $15 a month for the rest of their life, provided that they were residents of Washington at the time of their service (equivalent to $200 in 2023)[38]
A measure establishing a state school fund capable of providing $30 of funding per student and distributing funding to different schools and districts based on their enrollment (equivalent to $1,000 in 2023)[40]
An amendment requiring trials for people who committed crimes on trains, boats, or other vehicles to be tried in any county the vehicle passed through, rather than the one the crime was committed in[40]
An amendment compensating every state legislator $300 a year (equivalent to $5,200 in 2023) and 10¢ for every mile of travel (equivalent to $2 in 2023)[44]
An amendment redefining the categorization of property for taxation (in which property was taxed at an equal rate) in favor of a progressive tax system[46]
A measure allowing local governments to create public utility districts, providing for the construction of power plants and water treatment facilities, and authorizing taxes to fund those public utility districts[48]
An amendment redefining the categorization of property for taxation (in which property was taxed at an equal rate) in favor of a progressive tax system[48]
A measure establishing an income tax for the purposes of funding the state budget, removing the property tax that previously funded the budget, and establishing a program to handle the administration of the tax[50]
An amendment granting the state legislature the power to temporarily increase the money amount or property value involved in a controversy to give the Washington Supreme Court jurisdiction in that case[50]
A measure banning fish traps for salmon in state waters, net fishing for salmon in the Columbia River, creating distinct areas for trolling, and establishing a salmon fishing season[52]
A measure to increase compensation for state legislators to $10 a day, with $5 a day for expenses and $5 a day for services and mileage (equivalent to $200 in 2023)[54]
A measure requiring that unions provide employers with written demands before strikes and only call for strikes after a majority of their members vote for one. This measure would also fine employees and unions who fail to meet these standards.[56]
An amendment authorizing the state legislature to provide that stockholders of banks organized under Washington law be relieved from personal liability to the same extent as stockholders in national banks organized under federal law[58]
A measure to expand industrial insurance by increasing benefits for injured workers, raising the age of minor dependents, and providing additional time for filing a claim[60]
A measure providing for the creation of a State Social Security Board and a State Social Security System, which would expand the scope of unemployment benefits, disability benefits, and senior citizen's benefits[62]
A measure implementing a 3% tax on income, with all revenue directed towards monthly payments of $60 for the elderly, blind, disabled, and widows (equivalent to $1,000 in 2023)[62]
A measure creating a State Timber Resources Board which would have final say on all purchases and sales relating to state timber and state forest land[64]
A measure regulating the sale of alcohol, restricting the amount of liquor licenses issued, and imposing fines on businesses that sell alcohol without a license[66]
A measure providing $20,000,000 for the construction of new buildings at state charitable, educational, and penal institutions (equivalent to $253,000,000 in 2023)[68]
An amendment permitting Canadians to own land in Washington, provided that they live in a province in which citizens of Washington are allowed to own land[68]
An amendment granting superior courts jurisdiction in cases where the controversy amounts to $1,000 or less (equivalent to $11,000 in 2023) and granting justices of the peace jurisdiction in cases where the controversy amounts to less than $300 (equivalent to $3,000 in 2023)[70]
An amendment forbidding the state legislature from overturning an act approved by the people until either two years have passed since the vote or two-thirds of the state legislature vote in favor of overturning such an act[70]
An amendment requiring all state-level judges to retire by the age of 75 and allowing the state legislature to lower the age and add additional causes for retirement[70]
A measure to establish an independent Board of Chiropractic Examiners which would oversee educational requirements for chiropractors and implement increased educational requirements[72]
A measure increasing regulation of commercial salmon fishing by creating fishing districts, establishing preserves where fishing is prohibited, and authorizing law enforcement to seize illegal fishing gear without warrants[72]
An amendment requiring initiatives to receive signatures equal to 8% of total votes cast in the last election and referendums to receive signatures equal to 4% of total votes cast in the last election before being placed on the general ballot[74]
A measure allocating up to $25,000,000 for the construction of new buildings at state charitable, educational, and penal institutions; along with new buildings at state supported institutions of higher learning (equivalent to $264,000,000 in 2023)[76]
An amendment forbidding the legislature from granting additional compensation to public employees after their service has been completed, with an exception for pension payments[76]
A measure providing civil service status for employees of county sheriff departments and creating an independent civil service commission to handle any administrative tasks that arise as a result of this measure[76]
An amendment permitting school districts to implement tax levies if approved by at least three-fifths of the affected population in a vote of the people[76]
A measure prohibiting the construction of large dams along specific stretches of the Columbia River if it would interfere with the migration range of fish[78]
An amendment reducing residency requirements for voting in elections, allowing Native Americans to vote in elections, and allowing new movers to the state to vote in elections[80]
An amendment empowering the legislature to temporarily fill other state-level elected positions if an emergency resulting from enemy attack prevents the incumbents from fulfilling their duty[80]
An amendment permitting cities and towns to authorize tax levies in excess of the legal limit if three-fifths of the affected population approves in a vote of the people[80]
An amendment permitting school districts to authorize tax levies in excess of the legal limit if three-fifths of the affected population approves in a vote of the people[80]
An amendment requiring that any proposed changes to the constitution be published in weekly newspapers throughout the state at a regular basis leading up to the election[80]
A measure authorizing $40,575,000 to be distributed to institutions of higher education, the department of institutions, the department of natural resources, and other needs identified by the legislature (equivalent to $381,000,000 in 2023)[84]
An amendment extending the right to vote in the presidential elections to all US citizens, provided that they have lived in Washington at least 60 days and intend to make Washington their permanent residence[84]
A measure authorizing up to $25,000,000 for the construction and improvement of water pollution control facilities (equivalent to $219,000,000 in 2023)[86]
A measure creating a new state agency called the Full Employment Commission and requiring timber harvests to be processed at plants employing Washington residents[86]
A measure extending the previous authorization of $40,000,000 in funding for the purchase and development of outdoor recreational areas (equivalent to $350,000,000 in 2023)[88]
A measure extending the previous authorization of $25,000,000 in funding for water pollution control facilities (equivalent to $219,000,000 in 2023)[88]
A measure requiring political campaigns to disclose the source of their funding, limiting the amount of money that can be spent as part of a campaign, and regulating the activities of lobbyists[90]
A measure authorizing $225,000,000 in funding for the construction and improvement of public waste disposal facilities (equivalent to $1,639,000,000 in 2023)[90]
A measure authorizing $40,000,000 in funding for the construction and improvement of recreation areas and facilities (equivalent to $291,000,000 in 2023)[90]
A measure authorizing $50,000,000 in funding for the construction and improvement of public transportation systems (equivalent to $364,000,000 in 2023)[90]
A measure outlining new requirements for nuclear power plants and requiring that they only be constructed if two-thirds of the legislature approves[99]
An amendment allowing legislators to hold other civil offices, provided that they not receive salary increases for that office while they hold a legislative position[104]
An amendment creating an independent judicial qualification commission and empowering the Washington Supreme Court to remove judges upon the commission's recommendation[106]
An amendment removing constitutional limitations on Superior Court commissioners and delegating the power to create new limitations to the legislature[108]
An amendment giving the Secretary of State forty days to validate initiative petitions and prohibiting the legislature from undoing successful initiatives[108]
A measure to grant the state sole authority of natural resource management and petitioning the United States Congress to decommercialize steelhead[114]
A measure allowing state officials to challenge federal selection of nuclear waste repository sites and requiring a vote of the people if a Washington site was selected[118]
A measure allowing Washington to challenge the constitutionality of some authorities delegated to the Federal Reserve in the United States Supreme Court[120]
An amendment allowing retired Superior Court judges to handle pending cases, provided that the judge had already ruled in the case before retiring[120]
A measure to impose a 0.7% tax on hazardous substances to fund hazardous waste cleanup programs. This measure was one of two options. The other option exempted some hazardous waste from taxation.[122]
A measure expanding the fish and wildlife commission's power to include shellfish and food fish regulation, the negotiation of interstate compacts, and the appointment of its own director[137]
An amendment enabling the legislature to reduce the size of the Washington Supreme Court and making the position of Chief Justice an elected position by members of the Court[137]
A measure reducing vehicle excise taxes and authorizing $1.9 billion in funding for state and local highways (equivalent to $3,552,000,000 in 2023)[144]
A measure prohibiting government from discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in public employment, education, and contracting[144]
A measure lowering motor vehicle excise taxes to $30 a year, requiring voter approval for any tax increase, and repealing existing vehicle taxes (equivalent to $50 in 2023)[146]
A measure imposing additional taxes on cigarettes and wholesale tobacco products, to be spent on expanded health care services for low-income persons[151]
A measure repealing existing state ergonomics regulations and prohibiting the adoption of new regulations until a uniform federal standard is required[157]
A measure authorizing slot machines in non-tribal gaming establishments, with part of the tax revenue raised from this being used to reduce property tax[159]
A measure requiring cleanup of hazardous waste before additional waste is added, prioritizing cleanup, and providing for public participation and enforcement through citizen lawsuits[159]
A measure prohibiting smoking in buildings and vehicles open to the public, including areas within 25 feet (7.6 m) of doorways and ventilation openings[161]
A measure opening high-occupancy vehicle lanes to all traffic during specific hours, requiring traffic light synchronization, increasing roadside assistance funding, and dedicating some taxes to traffic-flow purposes[168]
A measure closing all state liquor stores, licensing private parties to sell and distribute alcohol, and revising some laws dealing with alcohol taxation[172]
A measure to urge the Washington state congressional delegation to propose a federal constitutional amendment reserving constitutional rights for people, not corporations[186]
A measure raising the minimum age to purchase a semiautomatic assault weapon to 21, adding background checks, waiting periods, and enacting storage requirements[188]
^Overturned in 2020 by Garfield County Transp. Auth. et al v. State et al.[192]
Referencesedit
^"How to Sponsor an Initiative". Office of the Secretary of State. from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
^ abcWilma, David; Oldham, Kit (October 30, 2003). "With women voting, Washington voters favor Progressive Theodore Roosevelt for president, approve initiative, referendum, and recall powers, and elect first women to statewide office and to legislature on November 5, 1912". HistoryLink. from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
^"Yearly Summary of Initiatives to the People". Office of the Secretary of State. from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
^"Yearly Summary of Initiatives to the Legislature". Office of the Secretary of State. from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
^"Yearly Summary of Referendum Bills". Office of the Secretary of State. from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
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^ abTu, Janet (November 5, 2008). ""Death with dignity" act passes". The Seattle Times. from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^ abTurnbull, Lornet (November 8, 2012). "Same-sex-marriage opponents concede in Washington". The Seattle Times. from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^ abMyers, Laura (December 6, 2012). "Marijuana goes legal in Washington state amid mixed messages". Reuters. from the original on July 29, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
^ abOlson, Hannah (June 14, 2018). "What Everyone Needs to Know About Paid Signature Gatherers". South Seattle Emerald. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
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^. Washington Secretary of State Blog. June 8, 2018. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
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^"Three paid signature gatherers in Washington committed fraud, election officials allege". The Oregonian. February 14, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
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^ abcdefghijA pamphlet containing a copy of all measures "proposed by initiative petitions," "measures passed by the Legislature and referred, by petition, to the people," "Proposed to the Legislature and Referred to the People," and "Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature."(PDF). Olympia: Office of the Secretary of State. 1916. (PDF) from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
^ abcdefghij"Elections Search Results–November 1916 General". Office of the Secretary of State. from the original on November 21, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
^ abA pamphlet containing a copy of all measures "proposed by initiative petitions," "measures passed by the Legislature and referred, by petition, to the people," "Proposed to the Legislature and Referred to the People," and "Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature."(PDF). Olympia: Office of the Secretary of State. 1918. (PDF) from the original on November 25, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
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^ abcdefghiA Pamphlet Containing a Copy of All Measures "Proposed By Initiative Petition," "Proposed to the People by the Legislature," and "Amendment to the Constitution Proposed by the Legislature,"(PDF). Olympia: Office of the Secretary of State. 1922. (PDF) from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
^ abcdefghi"Elections Search Results". Office of the Secretary of State. from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
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^A Pamphlet Containing Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature(PDF). Olympia: Office of the Secretary of State. 1928. (PDF) from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
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^ abcdefA Pamphlet Containing Constitutional Amendment, Initiative Measure No. 151, Referendum Bill No. 6, Referendum Measure No. 22, Referendum Measure No. 23, Referendum Measure No. 24(PDF). Olympia: Office of the Secretary of State. 1942. (PDF) from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
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January 01, 1970
list, washington, state, ballot, measures, state, washington, system, direct, voting, since, gaining, statehood, 1889, citizens, state, legislature, both, have, ability, place, legislation, legislation, recently, passed, state, legislature, ballot, popular, vo. The U S state of Washington has had a system of direct voting since gaining statehood in 1889 Citizens and the state legislature both have the ability to place new legislation or legislation recently passed by the state legislature on the ballot for a popular vote Washington has three types of ballot measures that can be voted on in a general election initiatives referendums and legislatively referred constitutional amendments In order to be placed on the ballot supporters of a measure must gather signatures from registered voters 1 From 1898 to 1912 the only ballot measures allowed were legislatively referred constitutional amendments In 1912 an amendment successfully passed to create a citizen led process for initiatives and referendums and the first successful initiative was passed in 1914 2 Since adopting this process ballot measures have become widely accepted as part of Washington s electoral system As of 2020 update over 2 000 different initiatives had been filed with the state along with a significantly smaller number of referendums 3 4 5 6 Of those only a fraction have received the required signatures to be placed on the ballot 2 In recent years ballot measures have been used to legalize politically contentious policies such as assisted suicide same sex marriage and marijuana use 7 8 9 The use of signature gatherers workers paid to gather signatures for ballot measures has attracted significant controversy in the state as has some activists aggressive approach to ballot measures 10 11 Contents 1 Background 2 Types of ballot measures 2 1 Initiatives 2 2 Referendums 2 3 Legislatively referred constitutional amendments 3 1800s 3 1 1898 4 1900 1949 4 1 1900 4 2 1904 4 3 1906 4 4 1908 4 5 1910 4 6 1912 4 7 1914 4 8 1916 4 9 1918 4 10 1920 4 11 1922 4 12 1924 4 13 1926 4 14 1928 4 15 1930 4 16 1932 4 17 1934 4 18 1936 4 19 1938 4 20 1940 4 21 1942 4 22 1944 4 23 1946 4 24 1948 5 1950 1999 5 1 1950 5 2 1952 5 3 1954 5 4 1956 5 5 1958 5 6 1960 5 7 1962 5 8 1964 5 9 1966 5 10 1968 5 11 1970 5 12 1972 5 13 1973 5 14 1974 5 15 1975 5 16 1976 5 17 1977 5 18 1978 5 19 1979 5 20 1980 5 21 1981 5 22 1982 5 23 1983 5 24 1984 5 25 1985 5 26 1986 5 27 1987 5 28 1988 5 29 1989 5 30 1990 5 31 1991 5 32 1992 5 33 1993 5 34 1994 5 35 1995 5 36 1996 5 37 1997 5 38 1998 5 39 1999 6 2000 present 6 1 2000 6 2 2001 6 3 2002 6 4 2003 6 5 2004 6 6 2005 6 7 2006 6 8 2007 6 9 2008 6 10 2009 6 11 2010 6 12 2011 6 13 2012 6 14 2013 6 15 2014 6 16 2015 6 17 2016 6 18 2018 6 19 2019 6 20 2020 7 See also 8 Notes 9 References 10 External linksBackground edit nbsp Supporters of women s suffrage campaign in 1910 Washington entered the United States as a territory in 1853 and was admitted as the 42nd state on November 11 1889 12 The Constitution of Washington which had itself been approved by a vote of the people laid out the first guidelines for ballot measures Article XXIII Section 1 dictated that constitutional amendments required passing by a two thirds vote in the state legislature and being approved by a majority of voters in the next general election This section also required that details of the amendment should be published in newspapers across the state before election day 13 In 1912 Constitutional Amendment Article II Sec 1 passed This amendment granted people the power to place measures on the ballot every election via petition For one of these measures to be valid it needed signatures of support from at least eight percent of the voting population based on turnout from the previous election 13 Initiatives allowed people to propose new laws and referendums allowed people to challenge laws passed by the legislature This system of direct legislation had previously been implemented in Oregon by William Simon U Ren In the time since this amendment s passage initiatives and referendums have become a prominent piece of Washington s electoral landscape 2 The prominence of ballot measures especially citizen submitted ones has allowed Washington to lead the nation in social issues In 1910 people approved an amendment granting women the right to vote making Washington the fifth state to guarantee women s suffrage 14 The passage of Initiative Measure 1000 the Death with Dignity Act in 2008 made Washington the second state in the nation to legalize assisted suicide 7 The following year voters approved Referendum Measure 71 which marked the first time voters had expanded recognition of queer relationships at the ballot box 15 In 2012 Referendum Measure 74 passed making Washington the ninth state to recognize same sex marriage and the third to do so by popular vote 8 That same year the passage of Initiative Measure 502 led to Washington becoming the first state to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use 9 While state law on signature gathering includes a recommendation that organizers should not be paid to gather signatures the practice of paying workers per signature gathered has been legal in Washington since 1994 16 Supporters of the practice claim that it allows campaigns to extend their reach and makes ballot access more accessible and point to measures that have passed with widespread public support as evidence The practice has been criticized for potentially allowing campaigns to buy their way onto the ballot most notably by former Secretary of State Ralph Munro 17 10 Some paid signature gatherers have been arrested on charges of forgery and election fraud for placing fake signatures on petitions 18 19 Since sponsoring his first measure in 1997 Tim Eyman has been the most prolific sponsor of initiatives and referendums in the state 20 He has had 17 initiatives placed on the ballot as of 2021 with 11 being approved Of those only two have not since been overturned or modified by the courts 11 21 Eyman s 2007 Initiative Measure 960 passed with 51 of the vote and created a new system of advisory votes for all tax increases passed by the legislature in Washington While most of this initiative was overturned by the Washington Supreme Court in 2013 this system still stands Advisory votes are not legally binding and exist solely to measure public approval as such they are not considered to be ballot measures 22 23 Types of ballot measures edit nbsp A ballot from 2012 showing Referendum 74 and Initiative 502 which legalized gay marriage and marijuana Initiatives edit There are two types of initiatives in Washington Initiatives to the People are placed on the ballot and if passed become law These initiatives require a number of signatures equal to or greater than eight percent of the votes cast in the previous state gubernatorial race The signatures must be gathered over a period of six months 13 24 Initiatives to the Legislature are first submitted to the Washington Legislature for consideration These initiatives require a number of signatures equal to or greater than eight percent of the votes cast in the previous state gubernatorial race The signatures must be gathered over a period of ten months If the legislature passes the initiative it is enacted into law If the legislature rejects the initiative it is placed on the ballot for a vote of the people If the legislature passes an alternative version both the original and modified version will appear on the ballot 13 24 Referendums edit There are two types of referendums in Washington Referendum measures are laws that have been passed by the legislature and are up for recall These referendums require a number of signatures equal to or greater than six percent of the votes cast in the previous state gubernatorial race 13 24 Referendum bills are proposed laws that are placed on the ballot by the legislature If passed by a public vote they become law 13 24 Legislatively referred constitutional amendments edit Legislatively referred constitutional amendments are changes to the Washington State Constitution which have been approved by the legislature but require approval from the people They require a two thirds vote in the state legislature before being placed on the ballot 13 1800s edit1898 edit Ballot Measures from 1898 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article VII Sec 2 An amendment creating a standard rate of taxation that would have been applied to all property in the state 25 Failed 25 15 986 32 08 33 850 67 92 Constitutional Amendment Article VI An amendment granting women the right to vote in elections 25 Failed 25 20 758 40 35 30 540 59 96 1900 1949 edit1900 edit Ballot Measures from 1900 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article VII Sec 2 An amendment providing property owners with a 300 property tax exemption equivalent to 11 000 in 2023 26 Passed 26 35 398 79 77 8 975 20 23 1904 edit Ballot Measures from 1904 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article I Sec 11 An amendment allowing the state legislature to employ chaplains at prisons and rehabilitation centers 27 Passed 27 17 508 60 11 371 40 1906 edit Ballot Measures from 1906 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article I Sec 16 An amendment legalizing and defining the state s power to use eminent domain 28 Failed 28 15 257 42 1 20 984 57 9 Constitutional Amendment Article XXI Sec 1 An amendment classifying water use for irrigation mining manufacturing and the removal of timber products a public use 28 Failed 28 18 462 47 68 20 258 52 32 1908 edit Ballot Measures from 1908 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article VII An amendment forbidding the taxation of property to the amount of 300 equivalent to 10 200 in 2023 29 Failed 29 28 371 32 02 60 244 67 98 Constitutional Amendment Article I Sec 16 An amendment legalizing and defining the state s power to use eminent domain 29 Failed 29 26 849 33 74 52 721 66 26 1910 edit Ballot Measures from 1910 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article VI An amendment granting women the right to vote in state elections 30 Passed 30 52 299 63 8 29 676 36 2 Constitutional Amendment Article III Sec 10 An amendment detailing the line of succession for the office of governor 30 Passed 30 51 257 78 32 14 186 21 68 1912 edit Ballot Measures from 1912 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article II Sec 1 An amendment creating a referendum and initiative process for state elections allowing citizens to place measures on the ballot 31 Passed 31 110 110 71 49 43 905 28 51 Constitutional Amendment Article II Sec 31 An amendment legalizing and establishing guidelines for recall elections for state officials 31 Passed 31 79 940 62 49 47 978 37 51 Constitutional Amendment Article XI Sec 7 An amendment determining that all laws except those relating to the budget and those passed in a state of emergency should go into effect 90 days after being signed by the governor 31 Failed 31 67 717 44 89 83 138 55 11 Constitutional Amendment Article I Sec 33 34 An amendment removing term limits for all county level officials except treasurers 31 Passed 31 112 321 70 78 47 372 29 22 1914 edit Ballot Measures from 1914 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article II Sec 33 An amendment allowing non citizen residents to purchase land in the state 32 Failed 33 55 080 20 58 212 542 79 42 Initiative to the People 10 A measure requiring convicts to act as employees for infrastructure projects such as the construction of highways with their paychecks being sent to their dependent families 32 Failed 33 111 805 37 83 183 726 62 17 Initiative to the People 13 A measure banning the practice of mandatory overtime and requiring that employers offer additional pay if their employees worked more than eight hours in a single day 32 Failed 33 118 881 35 83 212 935 64 17 Initiative to the People 6 A measure granting the state government the power to regulate individuals and businesses involved in the selling of securities for the purpose of preventing fraud 32 Failed 33 142 017 49 09 147 298 50 91 Initiative to the People 7 A measure abolishing the state s bureau of inspection and supervision of public offices and transferring all power and responsibility held by the office to the state auditor 32 Failed 33 117 882 41 37 167 080 58 63 Initiative to the People 8 A measure banning companies from charging their employees for employment and charging fees for job interviews 32 Passed 33 162 054 52 86 144 544 47 14 Initiative to the People 9 A measure requiring employers to pay for their employee s medical expenses if they were accrued due to a workplace injury 32 Failed 33 143 738 48 25 151 166 51 75 Referendum Measure 1 A measure creating a public retirement fund for teachers and school administrative officials with the fund being overseen by an independent board of trustees 32 Failed 33 59 051 18 96 252 356 81 04 Referendum Measure 2 A measure authorizing 40 000 000 in funds for an irrigation project in Grant Adams Chelan and Douglas counties equivalent to 1 200 000 000 in 2023 32 Failed 33 102 315 35 11 189 065 64 89 Initiative to the People 3 A measure prohibiting the production distribution and storage of alcoholic beverages except in cases when alcohol has been prescribed by a doctor 32 Passed 33 189 840 52 58 171 208 47 42 1916 edit Ballot Measures from 1916 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the Legislature 18 A measure allowing private citizens to purchase alcoholic beverages for home use allowing hotels to sell alcoholic beverages and implementing a licensing system for producers and sellers 34 Failed 35 48 354 15 51 263 390 84 49 Initiative to the People 24 A measure legalizing the production and sale of beer provided it has an alcohol content between one and four percent and the producer and seller are licensed by the state 34 Failed 35 105 803 30 13 245 399 69 87 Referendum Measure 3 A measure adding additional requirements for initiatives and referendums to make it onto the general ballot 34 Failed 35 62 117 24 03 196 363 75 97 Referendum Measure 4 A measure instituting additional requirements for recall elections including specific guidelines for petitioners and election officials 34 Failed 35 63 646 24 07 193 686 75 30 Referendum Measure 5 An act creating state and county level political conventions for each party and instead requiring them to nominate their candidates for office at convention rather than through a primary election 34 Failed 35 49 370 19 76 200 499 80 24 Referendum Measure 6 A measure banning the practice of picketing for the purpose of disrupting a business regular activities 34 Failed 35 85 672 31 88 183 042 68 12 Referendum Measure 7 A measure requiring that public utility services gain certification from a state level commission with certifications only being awarded if the commission sees a need for a new utility service 34 Failed 35 46 921 18 87 201 742 81 13 Referendum Measure 8 A measure creating new state port districts and detailing their regulation 34 Failed 35 45 264 18 82 192 523 81 18 Referendum Measure 9 A measure requiring that local governments school districts parks districts and port districts set budgets every year and only incur expenses within the confines of their budget 34 Failed 35 87 205 32 40 181 933 67 60 Constitutional Amendment Article VI Sec 1 An amendment requiring that all voters be taxpayers for ballot measures that deal with state funds and debt 34 Failed 35 88 963 33 05 180 179 66 95 1918 edit Ballot Measures from 1918 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Measure 10 A measure prohibiting the sale manufacture and storage of alcohol for all purposes except religious This measure would supersede previous ballot measures which established that alcohol was only acceptable for medical reasons 36 Passed 37 96 100 63 89 54 322 36 11 House Joint Resolution 1 A measure calling for a state constitutional convention 36 Failed 37 55 148 48 43 58 713 51 57 1920 edit Ballot Measures from 1920 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article III An amendment fixing the salary of the state governor lieutenant governor secretary of state treasurer auditor attorney general and superintendent 38 Failed 39 71 284 29 51 170 242 70 49 Referendum Bill 1 A measure establishing a new highway system funded by driver s license fees and new taxes 38 Failed 39 117 452 37 98 191 783 62 02 Referendum Bill 2 A measure requiring the government to pay veterans of World War One 15 a month for the rest of their life provided that they were residents of Washington at the time of their service equivalent to 200 in 2023 38 Passed 39 224 356 71 80 88 128 28 20 Constitutional Amendment Article I Sec 16 An amendment legalizing and defining the state s power to use eminent domain 38 Passed 39 121 022 51 65 113 287 48 35 1922 edit Ballot Measures from 1922 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article II Sec 23 An amendment raising the pay of state legislators from 5 a day to 10 a day equivalent to 200 in 2023 40 Failed 41 52 621 24 56 161 677 75 44 Constitutional Amendment Article VIII Sec 4 An amendment requiring that payments from the state budget be made within one calendar month of the end of the next fiscal year 40 Passed 41 94 746 52 20 86 746 47 80 Initiative to the People 40 A measure repealing the state s poll tax 40 Passed 41 193 356 75 28 63 494 24 72 Initiative to the People 46 A measure establishing a state school fund capable of providing 30 of funding per student and distributing funding to different schools and districts based on their enrollment equivalent to 1 000 in 2023 40 Failed 41 99 150 39 78 150 114 60 22 Referendum Measure 12 A measure allowing public utility companies to receive certification even if another company already provides a similar service 40 Failed 41 64 800 29 49 154 905 70 51 Referendum Measure 13 A measure allowing parents to opt their children out of physical examination and vaccination requirements for state schools 40 Failed 41 96 874 38 29 156 113 61 71 Referendum Measure 14 A measure enforcing a closed primary system where only registered members of a political party can cast a vote in that party s primary 40 Failed 41 60 593 26 98 164 004 73 02 Referendum Measure 15 A measure redefining the role of the precinct committee for elections and party conventions 40 Failed 41 57 324 29 01 140 299 70 99 Constitutional Amendment Article I Sec 22 An amendment requiring trials for people who committed crimes on trains boats or other vehicles to be tried in any county the vehicle passed through rather than the one the crime was committed in 40 Passed 41 122 972 60 15 81 457 39 85 1924 edit Ballot Measures from 1924 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 49 A measure requiring children between the ages of seven and seventeen to attend public school and fining their parents if they do not 42 Failed 43 158 922 41 78 221 500 58 22 Initiative to the People 50 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities and school districts 42 Failed 43 128 677 37 78 211 948 62 22 Initiative to the People 52 A measure to allow cities and towns to buy and sell electricity without needing to pay tax and providing for the construction of electric plants 42 Failed 43 139 492 39 09 217 393 60 91 Referendum Bill 3 A measure allowing cities and towns to sell surplus electricity with a tax of 5 and providing for the construction of electric plants 42 Failed 43 99 459 32 26 208 809 67 74 Referendum Measure 16 A measure banning the production and sale of butter substitutes that contain vegetable fat or any base that is not milk 42 Failed 43 169 047 45 44 203 016 54 56 Constitutional Amendment Article XI Sec 5 An amendment allowing the state legislature to classify counties by population and provide for additional resources to larger counties 42 Passed 43 137 093 51 52 129 003 48 48 Constitutional Amendment Article XV Sec 1 An amendment authorizing the state to relocate harbor lines and extend harbor lines without giving up state control 42 Failed 43 99 694 39 47 152 911 60 53 1926 edit Ballot Measures from 1926 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Add Article XXVIII An amendment modifying the taxation of reforested land and timber harvested from that land in order to encourage reforestation 44 Failed 45 87 158 44 77 107 524 55 23 Constitutional Amendment Article II Sec 23 An amendment compensating every state legislator 300 a year equivalent to 5 200 in 2023 and 10 for every mile of travel equivalent to 2 in 2023 44 Failed 45 75 329 38 53 120 158 61 47 1928 edit Ballot Measures from 1928 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article VII Sec 1 4 An amendment redefining the categorization of property for taxation in which property was taxed at an equal rate in favor of a progressive tax system 46 Failed 47 131 126 48 21 140 887 51 79 1930 edit Ballot Measures from 1930 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 13 A measure to allow county commissioners to fill state legislative vacancies that occur before a scheduled election 48 Passed 49 133 255 60 33 87 633 39 67 Initiative to the Legislature 1 A measure allowing local governments to create public utility districts providing for the construction of power plants and water treatment facilities and authorizing taxes to fund those public utility districts 48 Failed 49 152 487 53 81 130 901 46 19 Initiative to the People 57 A measure to provide for a 46 member Senate and a 99 member house based on a 46 district system for elections and representation 48 Passed 49 116 436 50 17 115 641 49 83 Senate Joint Resolution 10 An amendment to increase the compensation for state legislators to 500 annually 48 Failed 49 107 947 44 85 132 750 55 15 Constitutional Amendment Article VII Sec 1 4 An amendment redefining the categorization of property for taxation in which property was taxed at an equal rate in favor of a progressive tax system 48 Passed 49 138 231 60 89 88 784 39 11 1932 edit Ballot Measures from 1932 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Constitutional Amendment Article XV Sec 1 An amendment authorizing the state to relocate harbor lines and extend harbor lines without giving up state control 50 Passed 51 170 101 53 44 148 201 46 56 Initiative to the People 58 A measure providing permanent voter registration and creating new government positions to keep voter rolls up to date 50 Passed 51 372 061 83 15 75 381 16 85 Initiative to the People 61 A measure removing restrictions on the import production and storage of alcohol but keeping restrictions on saloons and dedicated bars 50 Passed 51 341 450 62 12 208 211 37 88 Initiative to the People 62 A measure creating a new government department to handle hunting regulation the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 50 Passed 51 270 421 53 84 231 863 46 16 Initiative to the People 64 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities and school districts 50 Passed 51 303 384 61 41 190 619 38 59 Initiative to the People 69 A measure establishing an income tax for the purposes of funding the state budget removing the property tax that previously funded the budget and establishing a program to handle the administration of the tax 50 Passed 51 322 919 70 21 136 983 29 79 Senate Joint Resolution 11 An amendment granting the state legislature the power to temporarily increase the money amount or property value involved in a controversy to give the Washington Supreme Court jurisdiction in that case 50 Failed 51 153 079 46 64 175 130 53 36 Senate Joint Resolution 16 An amendment to increase the compensation for state legislators to 500 annually equivalent to 11 200 in 2023 50 Failed 51 117 665 31 63 254 345 68 37 House Joint Resolution 5 An amendment to fix the number of state legislators until 1941 and then require reapportion of legislators based on each new census 50 Failed 51 162 895 47 45 180 417 52 55 1934 edit Ballot Measures from 1934 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 12 An amendment to implement equalized tax rates and remove all exemptions from taxation 52 Failed 53 134 908 43 37 176 154 56 63 House Joint Resolution 14 A measure barring the state legislature from imposing taxes at the local level 52 Failed 53 129 310 40 62 189 002 59 38 Initiative to the People 77 A measure banning fish traps for salmon in state waters net fishing for salmon in the Columbia River creating distinct areas for trolling and establishing a salmon fishing season 52 Passed 53 275 507 64 17 153 811 35 83 Initiative to the People 94 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities and school districts 52 Passed 53 219 635 53 33 192 168 46 67 Referendum Measure 18 A measure allowing cities and towns to use and sell electricity 52 Passed 53 221 590 58 03 160 244 41 97 1936 edit Ballot Measures from 1936 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 10 A measure authorizing the state to produce electricity specifically hydroelectric power 54 Failed 55 173 930 38 44 278 543 61 56 Initiative to the People 101 A measure creating a state civil service commission to manage employees of the state counties cities ports schools parks and libraries 54 Failed 55 208 904 41 03 300 274 58 97 Initiative to the People 114 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities and school districts 54 Passed 55 417 641 77 61 120 478 22 39 Initiative to the People 115 A measure establishing a state department for pensions and implementing a pension system for Washington residents over the age of 60 54 Failed 55 153 551 30 24 354 162 69 76 Initiative to the People 119 A measure creating government districts to manufacture and sell commodities and employ people who are otherwise unemployed 54 Failed 55 97 329 20 82 370 140 79 18 Referendum Bill 4 A measure creating a state fund for flood control measures 54 Failed 55 114 055 25 45 334 035 74 55 Senate Joint Resolution 20 A measure to increase compensation for state legislators to 10 a day with 5 a day for expenses and 5 a day for services and mileage equivalent to 200 in 2023 54 Failed 55 124 639 28 44 313 660 71 56 Senate Joint Resolution 7 A measure to implement uniform tax policies along with a graduated income tax and exemptions 54 Failed 55 93 598 22 17 326 675 77 83 1938 edit Ballot Measures from 1938 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 126 A measure making the position of Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction a non partisan position 56 Passed 57 293 202 65 69 153 142 34 31 Initiative to the People 129 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities and school districts 56 Passed 57 340 296 69 47 149 534 30 53 Initiative to the People 130 A measure requiring that unions provide employers with written demands before strikes and only call for strikes after a majority of their members vote for one This measure would also fine employees and unions who fail to meet these standards 56 Failed 57 268 848 47 64 295 431 52 36 Senate Joint Resolution 5 An amendment clarifying that nothing in the Constitution of Washington bars the state from implementing an income tax 56 Failed 57 141 375 33 08 285 946 66 92 1940 edit Ballot Measures from 1940 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 139 A measure requiring voter approval for bonds securities or other financial obligations issued or incurred by a public utility district 58 Failed 59 253 318 41 13 362 508 58 87 Initiative to the People 141 A measure providing a minimum 40 grant every month to Washington citizens over 65 years of age equivalent to 900 in 2023 58 Passed 59 358 009 58 04 258 819 41 96 Referendum Bill 5 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities school districts and road districts 58 Passed 59 390 639 72 28 149 843 27 72 Senate Joint Resolution 1 An amendment repealing term limits for county officers 58 Failed 59 208 407 43 75 267 938 56 25 Senate Joint Resolution 8 An amendment authorizing the state legislature to provide that stockholders of banks organized under Washington law be relieved from personal liability to the same extent as stockholders in national banks organized under federal law 58 Passed 59 255 047 57 45 188 929 42 55 House Joint Resolution 13 An amendment allowing citizens by initiative or the state legislature to change the salary of government officials 58 Failed 59 183 478 41 39 259 842 58 61 1942 edit Ballot Measures from 1942 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Measure 22 A measure to expand industrial insurance by increasing benefits for injured workers raising the age of minor dependents and providing additional time for filing a claim 60 Passed 61 246 257 69 35 108 845 30 65 Referendum Measure 23 A measure providing for an attorney independent from the prosecuting attorney to assist and advise grand juries 60 Failed 61 126 972 46 13 148 226 53 87 Referendum Measure 24 A measure forbidding prosecuting attorneys from appearing before or giving advice to grand juries 60 Failed 61 114 603 43 57 148 439 56 43 Referendum Bill 6 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state county municipalities school districts and road districts 60 Passed 61 252 431 76 97 75 540 23 03 Initiative to the People 151 A measure providing benefits to senior citizens in Washington including additional medical services burial expenses and supplemental grants 60 Failed 61 160 084 41 57 225 027 58 43 Constitutional Amendment Article VII Sec 2 An amendment clarifying that nothing in the Constitution of Washington bars the state from implementing an income tax 60 Failed 61 89 453 33 66 176 332 66 34 1944 edit Ballot Measures from 1944 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 1 A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property 62 Passed 63 357 488 33 40 179 273 66 60 House Joint Resolution 4 An amendment requiring that revenue from driver s license fees and taxes on fuel be used for highway purposes only 62 Passed 63 358 581 69 03 160 898 30 97 Initiative to the People 157 A measure providing for the creation of a State Social Security Board and a State Social Security System which would expand the scope of unemployment benefits disability benefits and senior citizen s benefits 62 Failed 63 240 565 37 31 404 356 62 29 Initiative to the People 158 A measure implementing a 3 tax on income with all revenue directed towards monthly payments of 60 for the elderly blind disabled and widows equivalent to 1 000 in 2023 62 Failed 63 184 405 29 65 437 502 70 35 Referendum Bill 25 A measure permitting joint public utility districts 62 Failed 63 297 919 44 40 373 051 55 60 1946 edit Ballot Measures from 1946 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 166 A measure requiring voter approval for property purchases and bonds acquired by public utility districts 64 Failed 65 220 239 37 45 367 836 62 55 Referendum Measure 27 A measure creating a State Timber Resources Board which would have final say on all purchases and sales relating to state timber and state forest land 64 Failed 65 107 731 20 34 422 026 79 66 House Joint Resolution 9 An amendment allowing the state to impose property tax on federal property in the state 64 Passed 65 235 819 56 08 198 786 43 92 Referendum Measure 26 A measure allowing the governor of Washington to appoint and remove members from the State Game Commission 64 Failed 65 69 490 13 43 447 819 86 57 1948 edit Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 4 An amendment repealing term limits for county officers 66 Passed 67 337 554 54 45 282 324 45 55 Initiative to the Legislature 13 A measure banning any entity except for the state of Washington from selling alcohol 66 Failed 67 208 337 25 71 602 141 74 29 Initiative to the People 169 A measure increasing benefits for veterans of World War II funded by state bonds and a tobacco tax 66 Passed 67 438 518 56 52 337 410 43 48 Initiative to the People 171 A measure regulating the sale of alcohol restricting the amount of liquor licenses issued and imposing fines on businesses that sell alcohol without a license 66 Passed 67 416 227 52 71 373 418 47 29 Initiative to the People 172 A measure providing the elderly and blind with a minimum of 60 a month to cover their basic living expenses 66 Passed 67 420 751 54 40 352 642 45 60 House Joint Resolution 13 A measure permitting the formation of combined city and county charters with a population of more than 300 000 66 Passed 67 291 699 50 34 287 813 49 66 Senate Joint Resolution 4 An amendment allowing the state legislature to fix the salaries of elected state officials 66 Passed 67 318 319 50 62 310 516 49 38 Senate Joint Resolution 5 An amendment allowing counties to adopt Home Rule charters 66 Passed 67 296 624 52 44 269 018 47 56 1950 1999 edit1950 edit Ballot Measures from 1950 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 10 An amendment permitting school districts to take on additional debt when authorized by a vote of the people 68 Failed 69 286 189 47 68 314 014 52 32 Initiative to the People 178 A measure transferring Washington s public assistance medical program to the Washington State Department of Health 68 Passed 69 394 261 57 09 296 290 42 91 Initiative to the People 176 A measure increasing the minimum social security grant from 60 to 65 equivalent to 800 in 2023 68 Failed 69 159 400 22 97 534 689 77 03 Referendum Measure 28 A measure establishing a system of disability compensation for disabled people who are still employed 68 Failed 69 163 923 25 96 467 574 74 04 Referendum Bill 9 A measure providing 20 000 000 for the construction of new buildings at state universities and colleges equivalent to 253 000 000 in 2023 68 Failed 69 312 500 49 81 314 840 50 19 Referendum Bill 8 A measure providing 20 000 000 for the construction of new buildings at state charitable educational and penal institutions equivalent to 253 000 000 in 2023 68 Passed 69 377 941 59 262 615 41 Referendum Bill 7 A measure providing 40 000 000 for the construction of new buildings at public schools equivalent to 507 000 000 in 2023 68 Passed 69 395 417 61 44 248 200 38 56 Senate Joint Resolution 9 An amendment permitting Canadians to own land in Washington provided that they live in a province in which citizens of Washington are allowed to own land 68 Passed 69 292 857 50 24 290 005 49 76 1952 edit Ballot Measures from 1952 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Substitute House Joint Resolution 13 An amendment granting superior courts jurisdiction in cases where the controversy amounts to 1 000 or less equivalent to 11 000 in 2023 and granting justices of the peace jurisdiction in cases where the controversy amounts to less than 300 equivalent to 3 000 in 2023 70 Passed 71 389 626 54 66 323 133 45 34 House Joint Resolution 8 An amendment permitting school districts to take on additional debt when authorized by a vote of the people 70 Passed 71 409 985 51 49 386 324 48 51 Initiative to the People 180 A measure legalizing the manufacture transportation possession sale use and serving of yellow oleomargarine 70 Passed 71 836 580 83 63 163 752 16 37 Initiative to the People 181 A measure establishing state wide observance of standard time unless otherwise dictated by the federal government 70 Passed 71 597 558 60 03 397 928 39 97 Initiative to the People 184 A measure transferring the state public assistance medical program to the Department of Social Security 70 Failed 71 265 193 29 08 646 634 70 92 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 7 An amendment forbidding the state legislature from overturning an act approved by the people until either two years have passed since the vote or two thirds of the state legislature vote in favor of overturning such an act 70 Passed 71 468 782 60 13 310 797 39 87 House Joint Resolution 6 An amendment requiring all state level judges to retire by the age of 75 and allowing the state legislature to lower the age and add additional causes for retirement 70 Passed 71 618 141 74 11 215 958 25 89 1954 edit Ballot Measures from 1954 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 194 A measure to ban television advertising of alcoholic beverages between 8 00 am and 10 00 pm 72 Failed 73 207 746 25 23 615 794 74 77 Initiative to the People 188 A measure to establish an independent Board of Chiropractic Examiners which would oversee educational requirements for chiropractors and implement increased educational requirements 72 Failed 73 320 179 39 37 493 108 60 63 Initiative to the People 192 A measure increasing regulation of commercial salmon fishing by creating fishing districts establishing preserves where fishing is prohibited and authorizing law enforcement to seize illegal fishing gear without warrants 72 Failed 73 237 004 29 92 555 151 70 08 Initiative to the People 193 A measure establishing a state wide daylight saving time observance from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in September 72 Failed 73 370 005 44 71 457 529 55 29 House Joint Resolution 16 An amendment clarifying that corporations with non resident shareholders are still allowed to own land in Washington 72 Passed 73 364 382 55 15 296 362 44 85 1956 edit Ballot Measures from 1956 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 198 A measure banning membership in labor unions 74 Failed 75 329 653 31 86 704 903 68 14 Initiative to the People 199 A measure adding three new legislative districts three new members to the state senate and replacing precincts with census tracts 74 Passed 75 448 121 52 45 406 287 47 55 Senate Joint Resolution 3 An amendment allowing pensions paid to public officials to be increased while those officials are holding office 74 Failed 75 261 419 32 29 548 184 67 71 Senate Joint Resolution 4 An amendment requiring initiatives to receive signatures equal to 8 of total votes cast in the last election and referendums to receive signatures equal to 4 of total votes cast in the last election before being placed on the general ballot 74 Passed 75 413 107 54 03 351 518 45 97 Senate Joint Resolution 6 An amendment removing term limits for the state treasurer 74 Passed 75 411 453 52 32 374 905 47 68 Senate Joint Resolution 14 An amendment allowing county commissioners to fill vacancies in the legislature 74 Passed 75 454 199 60 77 293 159 39 23 House Joint Resolution 22 An amendment empowering the legislature to grant courts the authority to seize property before the final decision in eminent domain cases 74 Failed 75 292 750 38 57 466 193 61 43 1958 edit Ballot Measures from 1958 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Bill 10 A measure allocating up to 25 000 000 for the construction of new buildings at state charitable educational and penal institutions along with new buildings at state supported institutions of higher learning equivalent to 264 000 000 in 2023 76 Passed 77 402 937 50 71 391 726 49 29 Senate Joint Resolution 12 An amendment creating a seven member commission that would handle redistricting every ten years 76 Failed 77 320 567 46 76 365 018 53 24 Senate Joint Resolution 14 An amendment empowering the state legislature to allow the employment of chaplains in state custodial correctional and mental institutions 76 Passed 77 492 047 63 76 297 700 36 24 Senate Joint Resolution 18 An amendment forbidding the legislature from granting additional compensation to public employees after their service has been completed with an exception for pension payments 76 Passed 77 388 797 51 13 371 652 48 87 Initiative to the People 202 A measure forbidding labor union membership as a requirement for employment 76 Failed 77 339 742 36 27 596 949 63 73 Initiative to the Legislature 23 A measure providing civil service status for employees of county sheriff departments and creating an independent civil service commission to handle any administrative tasks that arise as a result of this measure 76 Passed 77 539 640 65 08 289 575 34 92 Referendum Measure 30 A measure making life insurance payments taxable under the inheritance tax 76 Failed 77 811 539 93 95 52 223 6 05 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 9 Part I An amendment empowering the legislature to change the compensation of elected officials at the state and county levels 76 Failed 77 199 361 26 98 539 483 73 02 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 9 Part II An amendment allowing current members of the legislature to be appointed or elected to civil offices 76 Failed 77 140 142 19 72 570 630 80 28 Senate Joint Resolution 10 An amendment authorizing the modification of the Washington border according to interstate compacts if approved by the federal government 76 Passed 77 395 969 56 09 309 922 43 91 Substitute House Joint Resolution 4 An amendment permitting school districts to implement tax levies if approved by at least three fifths of the affected population in a vote of the people 76 Failed 77 293 386 37 78 483 165 62 22 1960 edit Ballot Measures from 1960 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the Legislature 25 A measure prohibiting the construction of large dams along specific stretches of the Columbia River if it would interfere with the migration range of fish 78 Passed 79 526 130 52 11 483 449 47 89 Initiative to the People 205 A measure creating a new liquor license for taverns allowing them to sell alcoholic liquor 78 Failed 79 357 455 30 89 799 643 69 11 Initiative to the People 207 A measure establishing a civil service system for state employees and providing for the administration of that system 78 Passed 79 606 511 56 25 471 730 43 75 Initiative to the People 208 A measure authorizing joint tenancies and allowing property rights to pass from one tenant to the other in case of death 78 Passed 79 647 529 60 05 430 698 39 95 Initiative to the People 210 A measure establishing a state wide daylight saving time observance from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in September 78 Passed 79 596 135 51 71 556 623 48 29 Senate Joint Resolution 4 An amendment allowing non residents to own land in Washington 78 Failed 79 466 705 45 27 564 250 54 73 1962 edit Ballot Measures from 1962 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 19 An amendment reducing residency requirements for voting in elections allowing Native Americans to vote in elections and allowing new movers to the state to vote in elections 80 Failed 81 392 172 49 47 400 630 50 53 House Joint Resolution 9 An amendment empowering the legislature to temporarily fill other state level elected positions if an emergency resulting from enemy attack prevents the incumbents from fulfilling their duty 80 Passed 81 496 596 64 03 279 175 35 97 Senate Joint Resolution 21 An amendment allowing non residents to own land in Washington 80 Failed 81 400 839 48 35 428 276 51 65 Senate Joint Resolution 9 An amendment clarifying that a voters pamphlet should be sent to each individual place of residence rather than sent to each registered voter 80 Passed 81 484 666 60 60 315 088 39 40 Substitute House Joint Resolution 1 An amendment permitting cities and towns to authorize tax levies in excess of the legal limit if three fifths of the affected population approves in a vote of the people 80 Failed 81 189 125 23 35 620 973 76 65 Initiative Measure 211 A measure redistricting the state legislature 80 Failed 81 396 419 47 33 441 085 52 67 Referendum Measure 32 A measure empowering the Washington State Department of Agriculture to oversee and regulate the production distribution and sale of dairy products 80 Failed 81 153 419 18 46 677 530 81 54 Referendum Measure 33 A measure allowing cities and towns to conduct audits using private accountants instead of the state auditor 80 Failed 81 242 189 30 06 563 475 69 94 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 1 An amendment permitting school districts to authorize tax levies in excess of the legal limit if three fifths of the affected population approves in a vote of the people 80 Failed 81 249 489 29 44 597 928 70 56 Senate Joint Resolution 25 An amendment requiring that any proposed changes to the constitution be published in weekly newspapers throughout the state at a regular basis leading up to the election 80 Passed 81 417 451 54 15 353 448 45 85 House Joint Resolution 6 An amendment empowering the Washington Supreme Court to temporarily appoint new judges to itself and to superior courts throughout Washington 80 Passed 81 539 800 69 51 236 805 30 49 1964 edit Ballot Measures from 1964 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 215 A measure allowing money earned from taxes on boat fuel to be used to purchase or improve marine recreation lands 82 Passed 83 665 737 63 56 381 743 36 44 Referendum Bill 11 A measure authorizing up to 10 00 000 for the acquisition of outdoor public recreational land equivalent to 98 000 000 in 2023 82 Passed 83 614 903 58 57 434 978 41 43 Referendum Bill 12 A measure authorizing up to 59 000 000 for the construction of new public schools equivalent to 580 000 000 in 2023 82 Passed 83 782 682 72 25 300 674 27 75 Referendum Bill 13 A measure authorizing up to 4 600 000 for the construction of a new juvenile prison equivalent to 45 000 000 in 2023 82 Passed 83 761 862 71 76 299 783 28 24 Referendum Measure 34 A measure easing restrictions on gambling machines salesboards cardrooms and bingo devices 82 Failed 83 622 987 55 20 505 633 44 80 Senate Joint Resolution 1 An amendment allowing cities to frame their own charters if they have more than 10 000 inhabitants 82 Passed 83 687 016 72 31 263 101 27 69 1966 edit Ballot Measures from 1966 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 226 A measure requiring that one tenth of total sales tax collected by the state be distributed to cities and towns on a per capita basis 84 Failed 85 403 700 43 98 514 281 56 02 Initiative to the People 229 A measure repealing restrictions on what people may do on a Sunday including restrictions on alcohol consumption and sports 84 Passed 85 604 096 64 40 333 972 35 60 Initiative to the People 233 A measure increasing the maximum legal size of train cars 84 Passed 85 591 051 63 48 339 978 36 52 Referendum Bill 14 A measure authorizing 16 500 000 for the construction of new public schools equivalent to 155 000 000 in 2023 84 Passed 85 583 705 66 93 288 357 33 07 Referendum Bill 15 A measure authorizing 40 575 000 to be distributed to institutions of higher education the department of institutions the department of natural resources and other needs identified by the legislature equivalent to 381 000 000 in 2023 84 Passed 85 597 715 69 37 263 902 30 63 Referendum Bill 16 A measure redrawing the boundaries of the state s congressional district to equalize the population of each 84 Passed 85 416 630 52 01 384 366 47 99 Senate Joint Resolution 6 An amendment removing elections for Superior Court judges if there would only be one candidate on the ballot 84 Passed 85 635 318 80 05 158 291 19 95 Senate Joint Resolution 20 An amendment allowing non citizens to own land in Washington 84 Passed 85 430 984 50 94 415 082 49 06 Senate Joint Resolution 22 Part 1 An amendment creating a school construction fund at the state level 84 Passed 85 602 360 73 21 220 395 26 79 Senate Joint Resolution 22 Part 2 An amendment allowing a state school fund to be invested according to the wants of the legislature 84 Passed 85 581 245 72 33 222 401 27 67 Senate Joint Resolution 25 An amendment clarifying that public funds for port districts are considered public funds for the public interest 84 Passed 85 415 064 53 57 359 714 46 43 House Joint Resolution 4 An amendment extending the right to vote in the presidential elections to all US citizens provided that they have lived in Washington at least 60 days and intend to make Washington their permanent residence 84 Passed 85 645 966 80 57 155 808 19 43 House Joint Resolution 7 An amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt retired people s homes from property tax statues 84 Passed 85 661 497 75 86 210 553 24 14 House Joint Resolution 39 An amendment requiring that any legislative action that would modify the state s debt be publicized in the newspaper in the leadup to a vote 84 Passed 85 569 889 74 67 193 299 25 33 1968 edit Ballot Measures from 1968 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative to the People 242 A measure stating that the act of driving a vehicle on a state road implies consent for a breath test 86 Passed 87 792 242 66 70 394 644 23 30 Initiative to the People 245 A measure reducing the amount of interest or one time fees that can be considered a retail service charge 86 Passed 87 642 902 53 80 551 394 46 20 Referendum Measure 35 A measure adding discrimination on the basis of race creed color or national origin as grounds for the suspension of a real estate license 86 Passed 87 580 578 53 37 276 161 46 43 Referendum Bill 17 A measure authorizing up to 25 000 000 for the construction and improvement of water pollution control facilities equivalent to 219 000 000 in 2023 86 Passed 87 845 372 75 38 276 161 24 62 Referendum Bill 18 A measure authorizing up to 40 000 000 for the purchase and care of outdoor recreation areas and facilities equivalent to 350 000 000 in 2023 86 Passed 87 763 806 68 29 354 646 31 71 Referendum Bill 19 A measure authorizing up to 63 059 000 to be distributed to institutions of higher education equivalent to 553 000 000 in 2023 86 Passed 87 606 236 56 95 458 358 43 05 Initiative Measure 32 A measure creating a new state agency called the Full Employment Commission and requiring timber harvests to be processed at plants employing Washington residents 86 Failed 87 716 291 61 40 450 559 38 60 Senate Joint Resolution 5 An amendment allowing public pension and retirement funds to be invested 86 Passed 87 770 325 72 05 298 788 27 95 Senate Joint Resolution 6 An amendment creating the Washington Court of Appeals 86 Passed 87 650 025 63 72 370 059 36 28 Senate Joint Resolution 17 An amendment empowering the legislature to create a new state agency called the state building authority 86 Passed 87 521 162 51 07 499 344 48 93 Senate Joint Resolution 24 An amendment detailing the qualifications needed to fill a vacancy in state or county offices 86 Passed 87 744 656 74 33 257 168 25 67 House Joint Resolution 1 An amendment requiring that agricultural forest and open space properties be taxed based on use not potential use 86 Passed 87 705 978 67 79 335 496 32 21 House Joint Resolution 13 An amendment increasing the pay of government officials who do not set their own pay 86 Passed 87 541 002 53 09 478 119 46 91 1970 edit Ballot Measures from 1970 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 251 A measure mandating that the state cannot increase or add additional taxes 88 Failed 89 504 779 48 91 527 263 51 09 Initiative Measure 256 A measure banning the sale of drinks in containers with a recycling deposit value of five cents or lower 88 Failed 89 511 248 48 72 538 118 51 28 Referendum Bill 20 A measure legalizing abortion in the first four months of a pregnancy 88 Passed 89 599 959 56 49 462 174 43 51 Referendum Bill 21 A measure extending the previous authorization of 40 000 000 in funding for the purchase and development of outdoor recreational areas equivalent to 350 000 000 in 2023 88 Passed 89 520 162 52 29 474 548 47 71 Referendum Bill 22 A measure extending the previous authorization of 63 059 000 in funding for institutions of higher education equivalent to 553 000 000 in 2023 88 Failed 89 399 608 41 01 574 887 58 99 Referendum Bill 23 A measure extending the previous authorization of 25 000 000 in funding for water pollution control facilities equivalent to 219 000 000 in 2023 88 Passed 89 581 819 58 37 414 976 41 63 House Joint Resolution 6 An amendment lowering the voting age from twenty one to nineteen 88 Failed 89 473 029 45 33 570 438 54 67 House Joint Resolution 42 A measure fixing the maximum property tax rate at 1 and imposing a flat rate state level income tax 88 Failed 89 309 882 31 55 672 446 68 45 1972 edit Ballot Measures from 1972 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 258 A measure allowing cities with a population of over 150 000 to have grayhound race tracks 90 Failed 91 526 371 37 02 895 385 62 98 Initiative Measure 261 A measure privatizing state owned liquor stores and barring the state from distributing or selling alcohol 90 Failed 91 634 973 44 89 779 568 55 11 Initiative Measure 276 A measure requiring political campaigns to disclose the source of their funding limiting the amount of money that can be spent as part of a campaign and regulating the activities of lobbyists 90 Passed 91 959 143 72 02 372 693 27 98 Referendum Bill 24 A measure further regulating the activities of lobbyists in the state legislature 90 Passed 91 696 455 54 72 576 404 45 28 Referendum Bill 25 A measure regulating campaign contributions and expenditures 90 Passed 91 694 818 54 72 574 856 45 28 Referendum Bill 26 A measure authorizing 225 000 000 in funding for the construction and improvement of public waste disposal facilities equivalent to 1 639 000 000 in 2023 90 Passed 91 827 077 62 82 489 459 37 18 Referendum Bill 27 A measure authorizing 75 000 000 in funding for the construction and improvement of water supply facilities equivalent to 546 000 000 in 2023 90 Passed 91 790 063 59 22 544 176 40 78 Referendum Bill 28 A measure authorizing 40 000 000 in funding for the construction and improvement of recreation areas and facilities equivalent to 291 000 000 in 2023 90 Passed 91 758 530 56 67 579 975 43 33 Referendum Bill 29 A measure authorizing 25 000 000 in funding for the construction and improvement of healthcare facilities equivalent to 182 000 000 in 2023 90 Passed 91 734 715 55 29 594 172 44 71 Referendum Bill 30 A measure authorizing 50 000 000 in funding for the construction and improvement of public transportation systems equivalent to 364 000 000 in 2023 90 Failed 91 637 841 48 94 665 493 51 06 Referendum Bill 31 A measure authorizing 50 000 000 in funding for the construction and improvement of community colleges equivalent to 364 000 000 in 2023 90 Passed 91 721 403 54 80 594 963 45 20 Initiative Measure 44 A measure limiting property tax levies without a vote of the people 90 Passed 91 930 275 75 54 301 238 24 46 Senate Joint Resolution 1 An amendment replacing the 40 rate property tax limit with a maximum allowable rate of 1 equivalent to 300 in 2023 90 Passed 91 686 320 58 26 491 703 41 74 Senate Joint Resolution 5 An amendment repealing the prohibition on lotteries and allowing them if a supermajority of the legislature or the people approve 90 Passed 91 787 251 61 67 489 282 38 33 Senate Joint Resolution 38 An amendment allowing county commissioners to set salaries for officials in the county including their own 90 Passed 91 658 095 53 96 561 607 46 04 House Joint Resolution 1 An amendment requiring the legislature to review all tax policies once every ten years 90 Failed 91 668 505 55 09 544 868 44 91 House Joint Resolution 21 An amendment allowing the people of a county to create a city county government by majority vote 90 Passed 91 603 471 50 20 598 557 49 80 House Joint Resolution 47 An amendment redefining the approval formula for property tax levies 90 Passed 91 686 320 58 26 491 703 41 74 House Joint Resolution 52 An amendment empowering the legislature to increase state debt by a three fifths majority vote 90 Passed 91 673 376 58 53 477 144 41 47 House Joint Resolution 61 An amendment clarifying that discrimination on the basis of sex is illegal 90 Passed 91 645 115 50 13 641 746 49 87 1973 edit Ballot Measures from 1973 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 282 A measure limiting the salaries of elected officials and judges 92 Passed 93 798 338 80 14 197 795 19 86 Referendum Measure 36 A measure lowering the drinking age from 21 to 19 92 Failed 93 495 624 49 26 510 491 50 74 Referendum Bill 32 A measure requiring county auditors to appoint precinct committee people to help register voters 92 Failed 93 291 323 32 35 609 306 67 65 Referendum Bill 33 A measure adding additional fees for personalized license plates and directing the increased revenue to wildlife conservation efforts 92 Passed 93 613 921 62 89 362 195 37 11 House Joint Resolution 22 An amendment allowing local governments to create tax districts for the purposes of funding development projects 92 Failed 93 246 055 27 30 655 125 72 70 House Joint Resolution 37 An amendment creating an income tax prohibiting excess levies for public schools and limiting some other taxes 92 Failed 93 228 823 22 91 770 033 77 09 House Joint Resolution 40 An amendment applying the excess levy validation formula to bonds payable from such levies 92 Failed 93 352 495 41 27 501 618 58 73 1974 edit Ballot Measures from 1974 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Bill 34 A measure establishing a state lottery 94 Failed required at least 60 in favor 95 515 404 54 75 425 903 42 25 Senate Joint Resolution 140 An amendment restricting the governor s veto power and allowing the legislature to reconsider vetoed bills 94 Passed 95 498 745 54 32 419 437 45 68 Senate Joint Resolution 143 An amendment establishing a thirty day residency requirement to vote in elections 94 Passed 95 626 827 68 28 291 178 31 72 1975 edit Ballot Measures from 1975 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 314 A measure eliminating school tax levies and replacing them with a 12 tax on corporations 96 Failed 97 323 831 33 18 652 178 66 82 Initiative Measure 316 A measure mandating the death penalty for people convicted of first degree aggravated murder 96 Failed 97 296 257 30 90 662 535 69 10 Referendum Bill 35 A measure requiring the governor fill United States Senate vacancies with a person belonging to the same political party as the incumbent 96 Failed 97 430 642 46 18 501 894 53 82 Senate Joint Resolution 101 An amendment redefining the authority of the Washington Supreme Court and District Courts and establishing a commission on judicial qualifications 96 Failed 97 408 832 48 89 427 361 51 11 Senate Joint Resolution 127 An amendment creating an independent commission to set legislative salaries and legislators ability to run for other offices 96 Failed 97 355 399 39 72 539 289 60 28 House Joint Resolution 22 An amendment allowing the state to provide financial assistance for students of private educational institutions not just public ones 96 Failed 97 369 775 39 54 565 444 60 46 1976 edit Ballot Measures from 1976 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 322 A measure outlawing the practice of treating public water with fluoride 98 Failed 98 469 929 35 05 870 631 64 95 Initiative Measure 325 A measure outlining new requirements for nuclear power plants and requiring that they only be constructed if two thirds of the legislature approves 99 Failed 98 482 953 33 38 963 756 66 62 Referendum Bill 36 A measure requiring state officials to publicly disclose their financials while holding public office 99 Passed 98 963 309 69 65 419 693 30 35 Senate Joint Resolution 137 An amendment allowing excess property tax levies for public schools provided that they are approved by a vote of the people every two years 99 Passed 98 763 263 56 12 596 722 43 88 Senate Joint Resolution 139 An amendment requiring that salary changes in the legislature happen at the same time for all members 99 Failed 98 493 187 36 44 860 405 63 56 House Joint Resolution 64 An amendment creating a new state agency to draft county home rule charter models 99 Failed 98 347 555 28 03 892 419 71 97 1977 edit Ballot Measures from 1977 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 335 A measure prohibiting adult movie theaters sex shops and other businesses that sell obscene publications 100 Passed 101 522 921 54 76 431 989 45 24 Initiative Measure 345 A measure exempting food from state and local sales taxes 100 Passed 101 521 062 54 00 443 840 46 00 Initiative Measure 348 A measure replacing the variable system for fuel taxes with a stable system 100 Failed 101 470 147 49 95 471 031 50 05 Referendum Measure 39 A measure allowing voter registration by mail and absentee voting on one day s registration 100 Failed 101 303 353 32 43 632 131 67 57 Referendum Measure 40 A measure establishing an independent Washington State Women s Commission 100 Failed 101 259 761 28 09 664 962 71 91 Initiative Measure 59 A measure limiting public water withdrawal permits to farms of 2 000 acres 8 1 km2 or lessf 100 Passed 101 457 054 51 08 437 682 48 92 Senate Joint Resolution 113 An amendment empowering the legislature to grant district courts jurisdiction in cases involving more than 1 000 equivalent to 5 000 in 2023 100 Passed 101 654 082 76 23 203 936 23 77 House Joint Resolution 55 An amendment empowering the legislature to establish passenger and freight transportation rate 100 Passed 101 461 975 54 52 385 348 45 48 House Joint Resolution 56 An amendment empowering the legislature to establish passenger and freight transportation rates based on more than a mileage variable alone 100 Failed 101 394 105 49 28 405 635 50 72 House Joint Resolution 57 An amendment allowing railroad companies to share earnings 100 Passed 101 447 544 57 36 332 729 42 64 1978 edit Ballot Measures from 1978 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 350 A measure prohibiting forced school busing limiting the control of school officials over students assignments to different schools 102 Passed 103 585 903 66 29 297 991 33 71 1979 edit Ballot Measures from 1979 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Bill 37 A measure authorizing 25 000 000 in funding for facilities for the mentally and physically disabled equivalent to 105 000 000 in 2023 104 Passed 105 576 882 66 83 286 365 33 17 Initiative Measure 61 A measure banning the sale of drinks in containers with a recycling deposit of less than five cents 104 Failed 105 380 247 42 37 517 177 57 63 Initiative Measure 62 A measure limiting the growth of state tax revenues to the growth rate of personal income 104 Passed 105 588 724 68 34 272 761 31 66 Senate Joint Resolution 110 An amendment requiring that the legislature meet once a year with additional meetings called at the discretion of the governor 104 Passed 105 508 063 60 52 331 391 39 48 Senate Joint Resolution 112 An amendment allowing legislators to hold other civil offices provided that they not receive salary increases for that office while they hold a legislative position 104 Passed 105 469 049 56 91 355 088 43 09 Senate Joint Resolution 120 An amendment allowing local utility districts to provide financial assistance to homeowners until 1990 104 Passed 105 526 349 62 80 311 768 37 20 1980 edit Ballot Measures from 1980 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 383 A measure banning the import and storage of non medical radioactive waste unless specifically agreed by an interstate compact 106 Passed 107 1 211 606 75 49 393 415 24 51 Referendum Bill 38 A measure authorizing 125 000 000 in funding for water supply facilities equivalent to 462 000 000 in 2023 106 Passed 107 1 008 646 65 66 527 454 34 34 Referendum Bill 39 A measure authorizing 450 000 000 in funding for public waste management facilities equivalent to 1 664 000 000 in 2023 106 Passed 107 964 450 63 33 558 328 36 67 Senate Joint Resolution 132 An amendment allowing the state to control federal public lands within its borders 106 Failed 107 579 060 40 10 864 850 59 90 House Joint Resolution 37 An amendment creating an independent judicial qualification commission and empowering the Washington Supreme Court to remove judges upon the commission s recommendation 106 Passed 107 1 043 490 69 18 464 941 30 82 1981 edit Ballot Measures from 1981 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 394 A measure requiring a vote of the people before the legislature can finance major public energy projects 108 Passed 109 532 178 58 06 384 419 41 94 Initiative Measure 402 A measure replacing inheritance and gift taxes with a tax on the transfer of net estates 108 Passed 109 610 507 67 24 297 445 32 76 Senate Joint Resolution 107 An amendment removing constitutional limitations on Superior Court commissioners and delegating the power to create new limitations to the legislature 108 Failed 109 385 796 46 74 439 542 53 26 Senate Joint Resolution 133 An amendment giving the Secretary of State forty days to validate initiative petitions and prohibiting the legislature from undoing successful initiatives 108 Passed 109 581 724 74 46 199 516 25 54 House Joint Resolution 7 An amendment empowering local governments to issue industrial development bonds repaid by such developments instead of by public funds 108 Passed 109 450 580 55 73 357 944 44 27 1982 edit Ballot Measures from 1982 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 412 A measure setting the maximum interest rate for retail installment contracts at 12 110 Failed 111 452 710 33 97 880 135 66 03 Initiative Measure 414 A measure prohibiting the sale of drinks in containers with a recycling deposit of five cents or less 110 Failed 111 400 156 29 29 965 951 70 71 Initiative Measure 435 A measure replacing the state sales tax on food corporate business tax and the occupation tax with a 10 franchise tax on corporations 110 Failed 111 453 221 33 76 889 091 66 24 Senate Joint Resolution 143 An amendment allowing local governments to create tax districts for the purpose of financing development projects 110 Failed 111 393 030 30 82 882 194 69 18 1983 edit Ballot Measures from 1983 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Senate Joint Resolution 103 An amendment establishing an independent commission to handle redistricting every ten years 112 Passed 113 639 981 61 07 407 916 38 93 Senate Joint Resolution 105 An amendment extending maximum state harbor leases from thirty to fifty five years 112 Failed 113 383 081 38 08 622 840 61 92 Senate Joint Resolution 112 An amendment allowing local governments to expand energy conservation funds and credits to any Washington resident 112 Failed 113 405 820 40 24 602 719 59 76 1984 edit Ballot Measures from 1984 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 456 A measure to grant the state sole authority of natural resource management and petitioning the United States Congress to decommercialize steelhead 114 Passed 115 916 855 53 16 807 825 46 84 Initiative Measure 464 A measure excluding trade ins from selling price sales tax 114 Passed 115 1 175 781 68 95 529 560 31 05 Initiative 471 A measure prohibiting public funds to be used for abortion procedures unless such a procedure would prevent the death of the mother 114 Failed 115 838 083 46 87 949 921 53 13 1985 edit Ballot Measures from 1985 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes House Joint Resolution 12 An amendment permitting worker s compensation funds to be invested according to the legislature 116 Passed 117 582 471 71 37 233 728 28 63 House Joint Resolution 22 An amendment eliminating voter turnout requirements for votes approving excess property tax levies for schools 116 Failed 117 369 852 44 39 463 391 55 61 House Joint Resolution 23 An amendment allowing local governments to create tax districts for the purpose of financing development projects 116 Failed 117 337 015 41 42 476 600 58 58 House Joint Resolution 42 An amendment permitting publicly funded agricultural commodity commissions to engage in promotional hosting to develop agricultural trade 116 Passed 117 536 528 68 13 250 936 31 87 1986 edit Ballot Measures from 1986 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Bill 40 A measure allowing state officials to challenge federal selection of nuclear waste repository sites and requiring a vote of the people if a Washington site was selected 118 Passed 119 1 055 896 82 62 222 141 17 38 Initiative Measure 90 A measure increasing sales taxes for the purpose of funding wildlife conservation and recreation programs 118 Failed 119 493 794 38 63 784 382 61 37 Senate Joint Resolution 136 An amendment expanding the authority and membership of the commission reviewing judicial conduct 118 Passed 119 696 932 58 89 486 490 41 11 Senate Joint Resolution 138 An amendment modifying the process of filling vacancies in state and county elected offices 118 Failed 119 557 447 48 77 585 642 51 23 House Joint Resolution 49 An amendment creating an independent commission which would set the salaries of elected officials 118 Passed 119 630 736 52 30 575 213 47 70 House Joint Resolution 55 An amendment permitting voters to authorize tax levies to finance school construction 118 Passed 119 712 816 59 14 492 445 40 86 1987 edit Ballot Measures from 1987 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Bill 41 A measure allowing Washington to challenge the constitutionality of some authorities delegated to the Federal Reserve in the United States Supreme Court 120 Failed 121 282 613 34 29 541 387 65 71 Initiative Measure 92 A measure banning doctors from charging patients on Medicare more than Medicare s allowable reasonable charges 120 Failed 121 315 792 35 64 572 813 64 46 Senate Joint Resolution 8207 An amendment allowing retired Superior Court judges to handle pending cases provided that the judge had already ruled in the case before retiring 120 Passed 121 495 273 58 84 346 428 41 16 Senate Joint Resolution 8212 An amendment allowing the legislature to invest public land funds in stocks and private lending 120 Failed 121 260 620 32 09 551 408 67 91 House Joint Resolution 4212 An amendment extending the term length for state legislators 120 Failed 121 283 742 33 32 567 782 66 68 House Joint Resolution 4220 An amendment instituting a statewide property tax for the construction of new public schools 120 Failed 121 283 118 33 26 568 196 66 74 1988 edit Ballot Measures from 1988 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 518 A measure increasing the state minimum wage from 2 30 an hour to 4 25 an hour equivalent to 11 in 2023 122 Passed 123 1 354 454 76 55 414 926 23 45 Initiative Measure 97 A measure to impose a 0 7 tax on hazardous substances to fund hazardous waste cleanup programs This measure was one of two options The other option exempted some hazardous waste from taxation 122 Passed 123 860 835 56 00 676 469 44 00 House Joint Resolution 4222 An amendment increasing the value of personal property exempt from taxation 122 Passed 123 1 248 183 78 65 352 807 21 35 House Joint Resolution 4223 An amendment extending the abilities of public utilities to assist in residential energy conservation 122 Passed 123 1 248 183 76 70 379 153 23 30 House Joint Resolution 4231 An amendment removing references to idiots insane dumb and defective youth from the State Constitution 122 Passed 123 1 354 529 81 37 310 114 18 63 1989 edit Ballot Measures from 1989 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 102 A measure funding children family and K 12 education services with 360 000 000 in new taxes equivalent to 885 000 000 in 2023 124 Failed 125 349 357 33 65 688 782 66 35 Senate Joint Resolution 8200 An amendment granting basic fundamental rights to victims of felony crimes 124 Passed 125 789 266 78 11 221 179 21 89 Senate Joint Resolution 8202 An amendment redefining the process and authority of the judicial review commission 124 Passed 125 804 199 83 22 162 135 16 78 Senate Joint Resolution 8210 An amendment permitting cities and towns to fund private efforts to conserve water 124 Passed 125 622 494 63 95 350 876 36 05 1990 edit Ballot Measures from 1990 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 547 A measure requiring counties to engage in comprehensive land use planning in order to meet state growth and environmental protection goals 126 Failed 127 327 339 24 91 968 505 75 09 House Joint Resolution 4203 An amendment adding additional requirements for a new county to be formed 126 Failed 127 403 377 33 24 810 098 66 76 House Joint Resolution 4231 An amendment allowing voters to approve excess property tax levies for a period of up to six years 126 Failed 127 407 423 32 45 848 026 67 55 Senate Joint Resolution 8212 An amendment allowing property tax for low income housing to be based on the property s current use 126 Failed 127 606 683 49 94 608 223 50 06 1991 edit Ballot Measures from 1991 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 553 A measure adding term limits for governor lieutenant governor state legislature and members of Congress 128 Failed 129 690 828 45 98 811 686 54 02 Initiative Measure 559 A measure reducing property taxes 128 Failed 129 592 391 40 52 869 626 59 48 Referendum Bill 42 A measure placing a tax on telephone lines for the purpose of funding a state 911 system 128 Passed 129 901 854 61 14 573 251 38 86 Initiative Measure 119 A measure legalizing assisted suicide for patients suffering from medically terminal conditions 128 Failed 129 701 808 46 40 810 623 53 60 Initiative Measure 120 A measure granting women the right to choose abortion prior to fetal viability 128 Passed 129 756 812 50 04 752 590 49 96 Senate Joint Resolution 8203 An amendment creating an alternative method of drafting county home rule charters 128 Failed 129 538 126 42 99 713 648 57 01 House Joint Resolution 4821 An amendment allowing counties to establish the number of Superior Court Commissioners 128 Failed 129 583 318 45 21 706 807 54 79 Substitute House Joint Resolution 4221 An amendment allowing courts other than the Superior Court to handle cases in equity 128 Failed 129 584 815 48 82 613 040 51 18 1992 edit Ballot Measures from 1992 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 573 A measure adding term limits for governor lieutenant governor and state legislators 130 Passed 131 1 119 985 52 38 1 018 260 47 62 Initiative Measure 134 A measure limiting campaign contributions prohibiting public funding of political campaigns and restricting campaign fundraising activities 130 Passed 131 1 539 297 72 90 576 161 27 10 1993 edit Ballot Measures from 1993 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 593 A measure establishing the three strikes law mandating life imprisonment for serious repeat offenders 132 Passed 133 1 135 521 75 20 374 567 25 80 Initiative Measure 601 A measure limiting state expenditures by inflation rates and population growth 132 Passed 133 a 774 342 51 21 737 735 48 79 Initiative Measure 602 A measure limiting state revenue collections and expenditures on personal income 132 Failed 133 673 378 44 61 836 047 55 39 House Joint Resolution 4200 An amendment allowing counties and public hospitals to employ chaplains 132 Passed 133 851 333 58 33 608 252 41 67 House Joint Resolution 4201 An amendment granting District Courts jurisdiction over cases in equity 132 Passed 133 857 094 66 71 427 702 33 29 1994 edit Ballot Measures from 1994 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 607 A measure allowing non dentists to manufacture and sell dentures 135 Passed 136 955 960 57 60 703 619 42 40 Referendum Bill 43 A measure requiring that tax revenues from cigarettes liquor and pop syrup be distributed to violence reduction and drug enforcement programs 135 Passed 136 947 847 57 08 712 575 42 92 1995 edit Ballot Measures from 1995 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 640 A measure rewriting fishing regulations to ensure specific survival rates for non targeted species 137 Failed 138 566 880 42 48 767 686 57 52 Initiative Measure 651 A measure removing restrictions on gambling on tribal lands 137 Failed 138 350 708 25 76 1 010 787 74 24 Referendum Bill 45 A measure expanding the fish and wildlife commission s power to include shellfish and food fish regulation the negotiation of interstate compacts and the appointment of its own director 137 Passed 138 809 083 60 9 517 433 39 01 Referendum Measure 48 A measure restricting land use regulations and expanding the government s liability to pay for reduced property values of land 137 Failed 138 544 788 40 61 796 869 59 39 Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 8210 An amendment enabling the legislature to reduce the size of the Washington Supreme Court and making the position of Chief Justice an elected position by members of the Court 137 Passed 138 723 297 57 88 526 260 42 12 1996 edit Ballot Measures from 1996 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 655 A measure outlawing the taking hunting or attracting of black bears with bait and the hunting of bears cougars bobcat and lynx with dogs 139 Passed 140 1 387 577 62 99 815 385 37 01 Initiative Measure 670 A measure requiring the placement of a ballot notice next to the names of certain candidates who do not support Congressional term limits 139 Failed 140 937 873 44 99 1 146 865 55 01 Initiative Measure 671 A measure allowing limited electronic gambling in tribal lands 139 Failed 140 934 344 43 32 1 222 492 56 68 Initiative Measure 173 A measure allowing the state to issue scholarship vouchers for schools of choice 139 Failed 140 775 281 35 54 1 406 433 64 46 Initiative Measure 177 A measure creating a new type of school district where nonprofit organizations could operate charter schools 139 Failed 140 762 367 35 57 1 380 816 64 43 1997 edit Ballot Measures from 1997 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Bill 48 A measure creating a public stadium authority to oversee the construction and operation of a football and soccer stadium for the Seattle Seahawks 141 Passed 141 820 364 51 15 783 584 48 85 Initiative Measure 673 A measure adding additional regulations on the health insurance industry 142 Failed 143 521 161 32 39 1 087 903 67 61 Initiative Measure 676 A measure requiring trigger locks on handguns and implementing a system of handgun licensing 142 Failed 143 496 690 29 38 1 194 004 70 62 Initiative Measure 677 A measure prohibiting employment discrimination on the basis of sexuality 142 Failed 143 666 073 40 34 985 169 59 66 Initiative Measure 678 A measure licensing dental hygienists to perform certain services without the supervision of a dentist 142 Failed 143 787 607 47 13 883 488 52 87 Initiative Measure 685 A measure decriminalizing medical marijuana use and prescribing treatment education and community service for non violent drug offenders 142 Failed 143 659 244 39 57 1 006 964 60 43 Referendum Bill 47 An amendment allowing assessors to adjust property valuations where value increased due to the real estate market 142 Passed 143 1 009 309 63 52 579 620 36 48 House Joint Resolution 4208 An amendment permitting school district tax levies to run for up to four years 142 Passed 143 858 777 53 08 759 259 46 92 House Joint Resolution 4209 An amendment permitting local governments to make loans for improvements to stormwater and sewer services 142 Passed 143 1 002 382 63 62 573 083 36 38 1998 edit Ballot Measures from 1998 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 688 A measure increasing the minimum wage to 6 50 with annual increases to adjust for inflation equivalent to 12 in 2023 144 Passed 145 1 259 470 66 10 644 764 33 90 Initiative Measure 692 A measure decriminalizing medical marijuana use for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions 144 Passed 145 1 121 851 58 97 780 631 41 03 Initiative Measure 694 A measure outlawing partial birth abortion except when necessary to prevent the mother s death 144 Failed 145 802 376 42 90 1 070 360 57 1 Referendum Bill 49 A measure reducing vehicle excise taxes and authorizing 1 9 billion in funding for state and local highways equivalent to 3 552 000 000 in 2023 144 Passed 145 1 056 786 57 14 792 783 42 86 Initiative Measure 200 A measure prohibiting government from discriminating or granting preferential treatment based on race sex color ethnicity or national origin in public employment education and contracting 144 Passed 145 1 099 410 58 22 788 930 41 78 1999 edit Ballot Measures from 1999 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 695 A measure lowering motor vehicle excise taxes to 30 a year requiring voter approval for any tax increase and repealing existing vehicle taxes equivalent to 50 in 2023 146 Passed 147 b 992 715 56 16 775 054 43 84 Initiative Measure 696 A measure outlawing commercial net troll and trawl fishing with an exception for tribal fisheries 146 Failed 147 682 380 39 51 1 044 872 60 49 Senate Joint Resolution 21 An amendment removing all restriction on non citizen land ownership within the state 146 Passed 147 984 122 60 29 648 262 39 71 Senate Joint Resolution 8208 An amendment permitting the state to invest the Emergency Reserve Fund 146 Failed 147 798 756 49 05 829 637 50 95 2000 present edit2000 edit Ballot Measures from 2000 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 713 A measure outlawing certain body gripping animal traps and the poisoning of animals with sodium fluoroacetate or sodium cyanide 149 Passed 150 1 315 903 54 61 1 093 587 45 39 Initiative Measure 722 A measure repealing tax increases passed in 1999 exempting vehicles from property taxes and limiting annual property tax increases to 2 149 Passed 150 1 295 391 55 89 1 022 349 44 11 Initiative Measure 728 A measure reducing class sizes extending learning programs expanding teacher training and constructing school facilities 149 Passed 150 1 714 485 71 73 675 635 28 27 Initiative Measure 729 A measure authorizing charter schools 149 Failed 150 1 125 766 48 17 1 211 390 51 83 Initiative Measure 732 A measure providing public school teachers with an annual cost of living salary increase 149 Passed 150 1 501 261 62 29 893 601 37 31 Initiative Measure 745 A measure earmarking 90 of transportation funds for roads and exempting road construction and maintenance from sales tax 149 Failed 150 955 329 40 66 1 394 387 59 34 Senate Joint Resolution 8214 An amendment removing limitations on trust fund investment 149 Passed 150 1 450 749 64 85 786 185 35 15 2001 edit Ballot Measures from 2001 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 747 A measure limiting annual property tax increases to 1 unless approved by the voters 151 Passed 152 c 826 258 57 60 609 266 42 40 Initiative Measure 773 A measure imposing additional taxes on cigarettes and wholesale tobacco products to be spent on expanded health care services for low income persons 151 Passed 152 948 529 66 10 486 912 33 90 Initiative Measure 775 A measure creating a Home Care Quality Authority to regulate home care of the elderly and disabled 151 Passed 152 880 523 62 80 522 848 37 20 Senate Joint Resolution 8208 An amendment allowing superior courts to bring in judges from lower courts to hear certain cases 151 Passed 152 976 417 71 18 395 324 28 82 House Joint Resolution 4202 An amendment permitting the state legislature to determine which investments to allow the state to fund 151 Failed 152 573 878 42 97 761 768 57 03 2002 edit Ballot Measures from 2002 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 776 A measure setting license tab fees at 30 a year for motor vehicles and repealing some other vehicle related taxes 154 Passed 155 d 901 478 51 47 849 986 48 53 Initiative Measure 790 A measure placing management of the law enforcement officers and firefighters retirement system in a board of trustees 154 Passed 155 903 113 53 02 800 105 46 98 Referendum Measure 53 A measure establishing new employer rate classes and increasing some taxable wage bases 154 Failed 155 665 760 40 78 966 901 59 22 Referendum Bill 51 A measure increasing fuel excise taxes sales tax on vehicles and weight fees on trucks to fund improvements in transportation infrastructure 154 Failed 155 674 724 38 44 1 080 580 61 56 House Joint Resolution 4220 An amendment restricting the number of years excess levies by fire protection districts can be made 154 Passed 155 1 173 499 70 20 498 145 29 80 2003 edit Ballot Measures from 2003 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 841 A measure repealing existing state ergonomics regulations and prohibiting the adoption of new regulations until a uniform federal standard is required 157 Passed 158 656 737 53 49 570 980 46 51 House Joint Resolution 4206 An amendment permitting newly elected office holders to take office early if a vacancy arises 157 Passed 158 1 008 710 82 90 207 720 17 08 2004 edit Ballot Measures from 2004 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 872 A measure enacting a top two primary system in which the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election regardless of party 159 Passed 160 1 632 225 59 85 1 095 190 40 15 Initiative Measure 884 A measure increasing the state sales tax by 1 to create an education trust fund 159 Failed 160 1 102 996 40 01 1 654 112 59 99 Initiative Measure 892 A measure authorizing slot machines in non tribal gaming establishments with part of the tax revenue raised from this being used to reduce property tax 159 Failed 160 1 069 414 38 45 1 711 785 61 55 Referendum Measure 55 A measure authorizing public charter schools 159 Failed 160 1 122 964 41 70 1 572 203 58 30 Initiative Measure 297 A measure requiring cleanup of hazardous waste before additional waste is added prioritizing cleanup and providing for public participation and enforcement through citizen lawsuits 159 Passed 160 1 812 581 69 09 810 795 31 01 2005 edit Ballot Measures from 2005 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 900 A measure expanding the power of the state auditor to conduct performance audits 161 Passed 162 994 757 56 40 767 844 43 60 Initiative Measure 901 A measure prohibiting smoking in buildings and vehicles open to the public including areas within 25 feet 7 6 m of doorways and ventilation openings 161 Passed 162 1 153 353 63 25 670 225 36 75 Initiative Measure 912 A measure repealing a fuel tax increase passed by the legislature 161 Failed 162 823 366 45 38 991 196 54 62 Initiative Measure 330 A measure limiting non economic damages in medical malpractice suits to 350 000 and limiting attorney fees 161 Failed 162 783 435 43 30 1 027 117 56 70 Initiative Measure 336 A measure establishing new restrictions on medical malpractice suits and insurance provider licensing 161 Failed 162 711 443 39 78 1 076 918 60 22 Senate Joint Resolution 8207 An amendment modifying the judge classification system 161 Passed 162 1 102 192 67 55 529 586 32 45 2006 edit Ballot Measures from 2006 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 920 A measure repealing estate taxes and ending funding for the education legacy trust fund 163 Failed 164 778 047 38 20 1 258 110 61 80 Initiative Measure 933 A measure compensating property owners when regulations damage the use or value of their property 163 Failed 164 839 992 41 20 1 199 679 58 80 Initiative Measure 937 A measure requiring large electric utilities to increase energy conservation and renewable energy use 163 Passed 164 1 042 679 51 73 972 747 48 27 House Joint Resolution 4223 An amendment empowering the legislature to increase the maximum personal property tax exemption from 3 000 to 15 000 163 Passed 164 1 581 373 79 82 399 684 20 17 2007 edit Ballot Measures from 2007 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 960 A measure requiring a supermajority in the legislature to raise taxes and fees 165 Passed 166 e 816 792 51 24 777 125 48 76 Referendum Measure 67 A measure allowing consumers to collect triple damages from their insurance company for unreasonably denied claims 165 Passed 166 910 598 56 70 695 326 43 30 Engrossed Substitute Senate Joint Resolution 8206 An amendment requiring the state to transfer 1 of annual revenue to a budget stabilization account 165 Passed 166 1 048 562 67 74 499 292 32 26 Senate Joint Resolution 8212 An amendment allowing inmate labor programs to be used by private businesses 165 Passed 166 937 557 60 71 606 863 39 29 Substitute House Joint Resolution 4204 An amendment eliminating supermajority approval requirements for school district property tax levies 165 Passed 166 811 507 50 61 792 010 49 39 Substitute House Joint Resolution 4215 An amendment empowering the legislature to decide what investments would be permitted for higher education funds 165 Passed 166 831 669 54 45 695 663 45 55 2008 edit Ballot Measures from 2008 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 985 A measure opening high occupancy vehicle lanes to all traffic during specific hours requiring traffic light synchronization increasing roadside assistance funding and dedicating some taxes to traffic flow purposes 168 Failed 169 1 163 216 40 01 1 744 156 59 99 Initiative Measure 1000 A measure legalizing assisted suicide for mentally competent terminally ill adults 168 Passed 169 1 715 219 57 82 1 251 255 42 18 Initiative Measure 1029 A measure requiring people who work with the elderly and disabled to receive certification 168 Passed 169 2 113 773 72 53 800 733 27 47 2009 edit Ballot Measures from 2009 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 1033 A measure limiting the growth rate of state county and city revenue to annual inflation and population growth 170 Failed 171 434 051 44 62 538 768 55 38 Referendum Measure 71 A measure recognizing long term same sex partners to have the same rights as married spouses without recognizing them as married 170 Passed 171 951 822 53 15 838 842 46 85 2010 edit Ballot Measures from 2010 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 1053 A measure requiring that legislative action to raise taxes without a vote of the people require a supermajority vote 172 Passed 173 f 1 571 655 63 75 895 833 36 25 Initiative Measure 1082 A measure privatizing workers compensation insurance in the state 172 Failed 173 991 153 40 91 1 431 516 59 09 Initiative Measure 1098 A measure creating a state income tax for people making above 200 000 a year and reducing statewide property tax 172 Failed 173 903 319 35 85 1 616 273 64 15 Initiative Measure 1100 A measure closing state run liquor stores and legalizing the sale and distribution of alcohol by private businesses 172 Failed 173 1 175 302 46 57 1 348 213 53 43 Initiative Measure 1105 A measure closing all state liquor stores licensing private parties to sell and distribute alcohol and revising some laws dealing with alcohol taxation 172 Failed 173 878 687 34 96 1 634 516 65 04 Initiative Measure 1107 A measure repealing taxes on candy bottled water and soda 172 Passed 173 1 522 658 60 44 996 761 39 56 Referendum Bill 52 A measure authorizing 500 million in funding for public school and government building renovations 172 Failed 173 1 139 527 46 23 1 325 253 53 77 Senate Joint Resolution 8225 An amendment redefining interest in the Washington Constitution 172 Passed 173 1 180 552 52 01 1 089 100 47 99 House Joint Resolution 4220 An amendment authorizing judges to deny bail if they deem the public to be at risk 172 Passed 173 2 082 465 84 62 378 634 15 48 2011 edit Ballot Measures from 2011 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 1125 A measure restricting toll rate tax uses and increases 175 Failed 176 878 923 46 79 999 484 53 21 Initiative Measure 1163 A measure requiring long term care workers receive background checks training and meet certification requirements 175 Passed 176 1 222 019 65 02 657 470 34 98 Initiative Measure 1183 A measure closing all state run liquor stores and allowing private businesses to sell alcohol 175 Passed 176 1 128 904 58 74 793 026 41 26 Senate Joint Resolution 8205 An amendment modifying the length of time a voter must have resided in Washington before voting in a presidential election 175 Passed 176 1 335 039 73 13 490 445 26 87 Senate Joint Resolution 8206 An amendment requiring excess funds from revenue growth be transferred to the budget stabilization account 175 Passed 176 1 186 069 66 60 594 687 33 40 2012 edit Ballot Measures from 2012 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 1185 A measure requiring that legislative action to raise taxes without a vote of the people require a supermajority vote 177 Passed 178 g 1 892 969 63 91 1 069 083 36 09 Initiative Measure 1240 A measure establishing a public charter school system not to exceed forty schools over the next five years 177 Passed 178 1 525 807 50 69 1 484 125 49 31 Referendum Measure 74 A measure legalizing same sex marriage 177 Passed 178 1 659 915 53 70 1 431 285 46 30 Initiative Measure 502 A measure legalizing taxing and regulating marijuana 177 Passed 178 1 724 209 55 70 1 371 235 44 30 Senate Joint Resolution 8221 An amendment implementing changes in the use of state bond debt 177 Passed 178 1 748 436 62 91 1 031 039 37 09 Senate Joint Resolution 8223 An amendment allowing state research universities to invest funds 177 Failed 178 1 258 969 43 99 1 602 785 56 01 2013 edit Ballot Measures from 2013 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 517 A measure implementing criminal penalties for interfering with or retaliating against petition drive efforts 179 Failed 180 629 584 37 29 1 058 572 62 71 Initiative Measure 522 A measure requiring foods that contain genetically modified organisms to be labeled as such 179 Failed 180 857 511 48 91 895 557 51 09 2014 edit Ballot Measures from 2014 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 594 A measure requiring background checks for every purchase of a firearm including private sales 181 Passed 182 1 242 734 59 27 853 990 40 73 Initiative Measure 591 A measure preventing the government from implementing background checks on firearm sales unless a federal standard is established 181 Failed 182 929 220 44 73 1 147 966 55 27 Initiative Measure 1351 A measure reducing class sizes in public schools 181 Passed 182 1 052 519 50 96 1 012 958 49 04 2015 edit Ballot Measures from 2015 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 1366 A measure to reduce the state sales tax rate by 1 unless the legislature reaches a supermajority to determine how tax increases are approved 183 Passed 184 h 760 518 51 52 715 684 48 48 Initiative Measure 1401 A measure increasing the penalties for trafficking in endangered animal species 183 Passed 184 1 043 773 70 29 441 170 29 71 2016 edit Ballot Measures from 2016 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 732 A measure to impose a carbon tax on the sale or use of fossil fuels and associated electricity 186 Failed 187 1 265 123 40 75 1 839 414 59 25 Initiative Measure 735 A measure to urge the Washington state congressional delegation to propose a federal constitutional amendment reserving constitutional rights for people not corporations 186 Passed 187 1 923 489 62 82 1 138 453 37 18 Initiative Measure 1433 A measure increasing the minimum wage to 13 50 and requiring employers offer paid sick leave 186 Passed 187 1 848 583 57 42 1 370 907 42 58 Initiative Measure 1464 A measure creating a public campaign financing system 186 Failed 187 1 415 798 46 29 1 642 784 53 71 Initiative Measure 1491 A measure authorizing courts to remove individuals access to firearms if they posed an immediate threat to themselves or others 186 Passed 187 2 234 799 69 39 985 658 30 61 Initiative Measure 1501 A measure increasing the criminal penalties for identity theft 186 Passed 187 2 247 906 70 64 934 365 29 36 Senate Joint Resolution 8210 An amendment requiring the state redistricting commission complete redistricting by November 15 of each year ending in a one 186 Passed 187 2 246 030 77 32 658 927 22 68 2018 edit Ballot Measures from 2018 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Initiative Measure 940 A measure requiring additional police training in de escalation mental health and first aid 188 Passed 189 1 834 579 59 60 1 243 316 40 40 Initiative Measure 1631 A measure implementing a carbon fee with revenue generated being used to fund greenhouse gas reduction initiatives 188 Failed 189 1 340 725 43 44 1 745 703 56 56 Initiative Measure 1634 A measure restricting local governments from enacting taxes on groceries including a sugary drink tax 188 Passed 189 1 721 487 55 88 1 359 240 44 12 Initiative Measure 1639 A measure raising the minimum age to purchase a semiautomatic assault weapon to 21 adding background checks waiting periods and enacting storage requirements 188 Passed 189 1 839 475 59 35 1 259 681 40 65 2019 edit Ballot Measures from 2019 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Measure 88 A measure allowing the state to implement affirmative action policies in public employment education and contracting 190 Failed 191 952 053 49 44 973 610 50 56 Initiative Measure 976 A measure reducing motor vehicle registration fees and cutting transportation funding 190 Passed 191 i 1 055 749 52 99 936 751 47 01 Senate Joint Resolution 8200 An amendment allowing the legislature to pass bills detailing the succession of power during an emergency 190 Passed 191 1 247 265 65 05 670 086 34 95 2020 edit Ballot Measures from 2020 Measure name Description Status Yes votes No votes Referendum Measure 90 A measure requiring public schools to provide comprehensive sex education for all students 193 Passed 194 2 283 630 57 82 1 665 906 42 18 Senate Joint Resolution 8212 An amendment allowing the state legislature to invest the Long Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account into stocks 193 Failed 194 1 738 080 45 64 2 069 809 54 36 See also editLaw of Washington state Notes edit Overturned in 2013 by League of Educ Voters v State 134 Overturned in 2000 by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 587 v State of Washington 148 Overturned by the Supreme Court in 2007 153 Temporarily overturned in 2003 by a King County Superior Court judge but reinstated by the Supreme Court that year 156 Partly overturned in 2013 by League of Educ Voters v State 167 Overturned in 2013 by League of Educ Voters v State 174 Overturned in 2013 by League of Educ Voters v State 167 Overturned in 2016 by Huff v Wyman 185 Overturned in 2020 by Garfield County Transp Auth et al v State et al 192 References edit How to Sponsor an Initiative Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on September 18 2020 Retrieved May 12 2020 a b c Wilma David Oldham Kit October 30 2003 With women voting Washington voters favor Progressive Theodore Roosevelt for president approve initiative referendum and recall powers and elect first women to statewide office and to legislature on November 5 1912 HistoryLink Archived from the original on November 24 2021 Retrieved November 24 2021 Yearly Summary of Initiatives to the People Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on March 20 2022 Retrieved March 20 2022 Yearly Summary of Initiatives to the Legislature Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on March 20 2022 Retrieved March 20 2022 Yearly Summary of Referendum Bills Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on May 14 2021 Retrieved March 20 2022 Yearly Summary of Referendum Measures Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on March 20 2022 Retrieved March 20 2022 a b Tu Janet November 5 2008 Death with dignity act passes The Seattle Times Archived from the original on December 3 2021 Retrieved December 3 2021 a b Turnbull Lornet November 8 2012 Same sex marriage opponents concede in Washington The Seattle Times Archived from the original on December 3 2021 Retrieved December 3 2021 a b Myers Laura December 6 2012 Marijuana goes legal in Washington state amid mixed messages Reuters Archived from the original on July 29 2020 Retrieved December 3 2021 a b Olson Hannah June 14 2018 What Everyone Needs to Know About Paid Signature Gatherers South Seattle Emerald Retrieved December 16 2021 a b Santos Melissa November 25 2019 Who is Tim Eyman and why do so many people hate him Crosscut Crosscut Archived from the original on June 7 2021 Retrieved December 3 2021 Lange Greg February 15 2003 Washington is admitted as the 42nd state to the United States of America on November 11 1889 HistoryLink Archived from the original on November 18 2021 Retrieved December 3 2021 a b c d e f g Constitution of the State of Washington PDF Olympia Legislative Information Center 2019 pp 112 131 Archived PDF from the original on October 19 2020 Retrieved December 3 2021 Scott Anne Firor Scott Andrew MacKay 1982 One Half the People The Fight for Woman Suffrage Chicago University of Illinois Press p 166 ISBN 0 252 01005 1 Archived from the original on January 15 2017 Retrieved December 3 2021 Belthen Ryan November 6 2009 Referendum 71 shows Washington s strategy for marriage equality is working The Seattle Times Archived from the original on July 3 2015 Retrieved December 3 2021 Paid petition signature gathering in Washington What s legal and why Washington Secretary of State Blog June 8 2018 Archived from the original on July 11 2018 Retrieved December 16 2021 Gillespie Elizabeth July 5 2004 Paid signature gatherers defend work Law on paid gathering has fluctuated The Spokesman Review The Spokesman Review Retrieved December 16 2021 Three paid signature gatherers in Washington committed fraud election officials allege The Oregonian February 14 2013 Retrieved December 16 2021 Camden Jim February 28 2010 Forgery case fuels debate on signature gatherer rules The Spokesman Review Retrieved December 16 2021 Johnson Gene February 10 2021 Tim Eyman fined 2 6 million barred from campaign control Oregon Public Broadcasting Archived from the original on February 16 2021 Retrieved December 3 2021 Frost Mariya October 28 2020 The Supreme Court s striking down I 976 represents a failure at every level of government Washington Policy Center Archived from the original on November 1 2020 Retrieved December 3 2021 Regimbal Alec October 20 2021 Advisory votes on your WA ballot What they are what they mean Seattle PI Archived from the original on February 18 2022 Retrieved May 20 2022 Scott Hanna October 26 2020 Explaining Washington state s advisory votes Why we have them and what they mean My Northwest Archived from the original on April 16 2021 Retrieved May 20 2022 a b c d Initiative and Referenda Handbook 2021 PDF Office of the Secretary of State 2021 Archived PDF from the original on December 3 2021 a b c d Election Search Results November 1898 General Office of The Secretary of State Archived from the 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Containing a Copy of All Measures Proposed By Initiative Petition Proposed to the People by the Legislature and Amendment to the Constitution Proposed by the Legislature to Be Submitted to the Legal Voters of the State of Washington for Their Approval or Rejection at the General Election to be Held on Tuesday Nov 3 1914 PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1914 Archived PDF from the original on November 24 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f g h i j Elections Search Results November 1914 General Office of the Secretary of the State Archived from the original on December 3 2018 Retrieved May 11 2020 a b c d e f g h i j A pamphlet containing a copy of all measures proposed by initiative petitions measures passed by the Legislature and referred by petition to the people Proposed to the Legislature and Referred to the People and Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1916 Archived PDF from the original on November 14 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f g h i j Elections Search Results November 1916 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on November 21 2018 Retrieved May 11 2020 a b A pamphlet containing a copy of all measures proposed by initiative petitions measures passed by the Legislature and referred by petition to the people Proposed to the Legislature and Referred to the People and Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1918 Archived PDF from the original on November 25 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b Elections Search Results November 1918 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on December 2 2018 Retrieved May 11 2020 a b c d A Pamphlet Containing a Copy of All Measures Proposed By Initiative Petition Proposed to the People by the Legislature and Amendment to the Constitution Proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1920 Archived PDF from the original on November 25 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d Elections Search Results November 1920 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on December 3 2018 Retrieved May 11 2020 a b c d e f g h i A Pamphlet Containing a Copy of All Measures Proposed By Initiative Petition Proposed to the People by the Legislature and Amendment to the Constitution Proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1922 Archived PDF from the original on May 11 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f g h i Elections Search Results Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on September 17 2021 Retrieved May 11 2020 a b c d e f g A Pamphlet Containing a Copy of All Measures Proposed By Initiative Petition Proposed to the People by the Legislature and Amendment to the Constitution Proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1924 Archived PDF from the original on May 14 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f g Elections Search Results November 1924 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on November 20 2018 Retrieved May 12 2020 a b A Pamphlet Containing Amendments to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1926 Archived PDF from the original on November 14 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b Elections Search Results November 1926 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on December 3 2018 Retrieved May 12 2020 A Pamphlet Containing Amendment to the Constitution proposed by the Legislature PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1928 Archived PDF from the original on November 14 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 Elections Search Results November 1928 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on December 2 2018 Retrieved May 12 2020 a b c d e A Pamphlet Containing Copy of a Measure Proposed by Initiative Petition and a 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from the original on November 14 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d Elections Search Results November 1938 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on November 21 2018 Retrieved May 12 2020 a b c d e f A Pamphlet Containing Constitutional Amendments Initiative Measure No 139 Initiative Measure No 141 Referendum Bill No 5 PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1940 Archived PDF from the original on May 11 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f Elections Search Results November 1940 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on November 30 2018 Retrieved May 12 2020 a b c d e f A Pamphlet Containing Constitutional Amendment Initiative Measure No 151 Referendum Bill No 6 Referendum Measure No 22 Referendum Measure No 23 Referendum Measure No 24 PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State 1942 Archived PDF from the original on November 14 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f Elections Search Results November 1942 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PDF Olympia Office of the Secretary of State Archived PDF from the original on November 14 2020 Retrieved November 28 2021 a b c d e f Elections Search Results November 1975 General Office of the Secretary of State Archived from the original on November 28 2021 Retrieved November 28 2021 span, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
