Expect a long Washington ballot in November

Posted by Joe Adamack on February 16, 2024

Legislative leaders announced today the approach majority Democrats will take on a series of six initiatives to the Legislature that qualified following a signature-gathering process in 2023 and subsequent certification by the Sec. of State in January. As a reminder, legislators have three options when receiving a citizen-directed initiative to the Legislature: 1) can approve the initiative as written and it goes into law, 2) can create an alternative version and both options would go to the next general election ballot, or 3) do nothing and the initiative will go directly to the general election ballot.

Three initiatives will receive no action during the ongoing session and automatically appear on the November Washington state ballot:

1. Repeal the Climate Commitment Act.
2. Repeal the capital gains tax.
3. Make the state’s Long-Term Care program and related payroll premium optional.

The remaining initiatives will receive a joint public hearing by the House and Senate on Feb. 27 and 28th. Those items would:

1. Modify the criteria used for when police can pursue a suspect in response to changes made in 2022.
2. Would prohibit the state or any municipalities from adopting an income tax.
3. Would make a range of changes providing parents with more rights to review and inspect curriculum and records, among other items.

Those other items will likely end up on the ballot either as written or with multiple options.

These six initiatives coupled with a presidential election, all statewide offices, and most state legislative seats up will mean voters will have a lot of decisions to make in November.

Posted in Advocacy on the Move, Washington Advocacy.