Voters

The Voter's Guide to Ballot Measures

Real Progress Means Voting On Every Issue

As a voter committed to real progress in Washington State it is important that you mark every race on the ballot, including every ballot measure. The measure you skip could be the one that makes or breaks the goal of achieving high-quality health care for all, excellence in education, real security for our most vulnerable neighbors, and a cleaner, safer environment.

The Washington Ballot Guide shows key positions that will make or impede progressive government in Washington. Our goal is to help you make an informed choice on every measure in your local area. Remember, every measure counts.

Do your part to create a state committed to real progress. Learn what measure positions define positive change in Washington today. Then vote your whole ballot on Nov. 4.

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Statewide Ballot Measures

  • Thumbs Down

    Initiative 985: More Traffic

    Vote No on I-985 if you don't want to gum up carpool lanes and think it's a mistake to divert money from education and health care into unspecified freeway projects. I-985 is this year's deceptive Tim Eyman initiative. It would make traffic worse by opening carpool lanes to all motorists during key travel times that include some rush hours -- bringing buses and vanpools to a standstill, and putting more cars back on the highways. It diverts $600 million from the general fund to transportation over the next 6 years - increasing a projected $2.4 billion shortfall and diverting money from schools and health care to a transportation slush fund whose projects aren't specified. And it prohibits the use of toll revenues to support public transit, carpool, and transportation choices investments. Vote NO on I-985.

    Opposed by: Transportation Choices Coalition, Municipal League of King County, Sightline Institute,Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Environment Washington, SEIU Healthcare 775 NW, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, Washington State Labor Council, League of Education Voters, NOW Washington Chapter, Fuse Washington, Northwest Progressive Institute,Eastside Audubon, Environment Washington, Futurewise, League of Education Voters, Minority Executive Directors Coalition, National Wildlife Federation, Snohomish County Committee for Improved Transportation, Tahoma Audubon Society, Statewide Poverty Action Network, National Council of Jewish Women Seattle Section, Eastside Audubon, Black Hills Audubon, WashPIRG, Washington Environmental Council, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Washington, Washington Tax Fairness Coalition, League of Women Voters of Washington, The Children's Alliance, Washington State PTA
  • Thumbs Up

    Initiative 1000: Death with Dignity

    Vote Yes on I-1000 if you believe terminally ill people should have a choice about how much pain and suffering they must endure at the end of their lives. I-1000, the Death with Dignity initiative, takes the decision on end-of-life matters out of the hands of the government, placing it instead with patients, their families and their doctors. Under the proposal,  mentally competent, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to receive — under strict safeguards — a prescription for life-ending medication. I-1000 is modeled on a similar law in Oregon, where experts agree the result has been an improvement in care for dying patients.

    Initiatives of this type are always challenging, and many progressives could oppose I-1000 for religious reasons. In fact, both sides invoke progressive moral values in this race. Progressive organizations tilt heavily towards supporting the initiative, though, based solely on the principle of where the decision should lie-- believing it belongs in the hands of patients, their families and their doctors. Vote YES on I-1000.

    Endorsed or Supported by: Equal Rights Washington, NOW Washington Chapter, Fuse Washington, NARAL Pro-Choice Washington, ACLU of Washington, American Medical Women's Association, American Medical Student Association, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Puget Sound Chapter; Compassion & Choices, Death with Dignity National Center, National Association of Social Workers, Washington State Chapter; Humanists of Washington, Libertarian Party of Washington, National Council of Jewish Women, Seattle Chapter; Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Washington, National Women's Law Center, Northwest Women's Law Center, Older Women's League (OWL) of Seattle, Lifelong AIDS Alliance
  • Thumbs Up

    Initiative 1029: Safe, Quality Care for Seniors

    Vote Yes on I-1029 if you want training for and background checks of the people who care for our seniors and people with disabilities. Backed by the Alzheimer's Association, Washington Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and nurses, home care workers, sheriffs, prosecutors, and police chiefs across the state, Initiative 1029 would protect seniors and people with disabilities by requiring federal criminal background checks, certification, and improved training for long-term care workers. Immediate family members would be exempt from the new requirements. For peace of mind and safe, and quality care for the most vulnerable, Vote YES on I-1029.

    Endorsed or Supported by: Equal Rights Washington, NOW Washington Chapter, Fuse Washington, Washington CAN, SEIU Healthcare 775 NW, SEIU Local 925, SEIU Healthcare 1199 NW, UFCW Local 21, Statewide Poverty Action Network, Washington Association of Churches, El Centro De La Raza, One America, With Justice For All (formerly Hate Free Zone), Washington Community Action Network, APIA Votes Washington 2008, Alzheimers Association of Western and Central Washington, Residents Council of WA, CARES Washington, Elderhealth Northwest, Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans,IBEW Local 91, IUOE Local 286, Machinists Local 751, Office and Professional Employees International Union Local 8, Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, UNITE HERE Local 8, Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace, Northwest Regional Council; International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 17, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Washington, Washington Education Association, Washington State Building and Construction Trades Council (AFL-CIO)

Sound Transit

King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties

  • Thumbs Up

    Sound Transit Proposition #1: Mass Transit Now

    The Transit Now package from Sound Transit is a winner for a region that desperately needs better transportation choices. It will buy 100,000 new hours of express bus service in 2009, expansion of light rail north to Lynnwood, east to Bellevue and Redmond and south to Federal Way, and 65 percent more commuter rail between Seattle and Lakewood. Vote YES on Transit Now.

    Endorsed or Supported by: Transportation Choices Coalition,Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Fuse Washington, Futurewise, Friends of Seattle, Tahoma Audubon, King County Labor Council, Snohomish County Citizens for Improved Transportation, Municipal League of King County, Cascade Bicycle Club

Local Ballot Measures

Seattle

  • Thumbs Up

    Seattle Proposition #1: Support Our Market

    Pike Place Market is historic Seattle treasure, loved by nearly 10 million people per year. The need for repairs has reached critical mass and in fact threatens the future of this historic resource. Seattle Proposition 1 is a one-time, six year levy that will upgrade electrical and plumbing systems, improve disabilities access and quake-proof the buildings. Prop. 1 is is endorsed by all kinds of progressive groups and leaders. At $42/year per household, it is the best market deal around. Vote Yes!

    Endorsed or Supported by: Washington Conservation Voters
  • Thumbs Up

    Seattle Proposition #2: Parks Levy Renewal

    Seattle Prop 2 is a citizen led effort to provide $145 million to create and improve more parks and green spaces in our rapidly growing city. As Seattle continues to grow we must invest in parks and green spaces to protect our quality of life and keep the Emerald City livable. Proposition 2 is an investment in our parks for future generations and is endorsed by all kinds of progressive groups and leaders. The average cost is $81 a year for the typical homeowner, a decrease of about $30 from the current expiring Pro Parks Levy. The new parks levy is a discount we can't afford to miss. Vote Yes!

    Endorsed or Supported by: Washington Conservation Voters, Sierra Club

Charter Amendments

King County

  • Thumbs Down

    King County Charter Amendment No. 1 - Elected Elections Director

    The amendment would make the county elections director an elected position. It's a reactionary response to the election office's problems in the 2004 election — which have been cleaned up since then. We don't need another politician in our elections process. We need a technician — someone who is appointed based on their skill and expertise rather than their personality or ability to campaign. The Municipal League of King County and the League of Women Voters recommend a No vote, and so do we. Vote No.

  • Thumbs Up

    King County Charter Amendment No. 2 - Prohibiting Discrimination

    The amendment makes it illegal for the county to discriminate in hiring based on disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, similar to protections adopted by the State two years ago. If you think civil rights are a good thing this is a no brainer. Unlike charter amendments 3, 4, 5, and 6 if you vote against this one we will hold a grudge against you. Vote Yes.

    Endorsed or Supported by: Equal Rights Washington, SEIU Healthcare 775 NW, Planned Parenthood Votes!, ACLU of Washington, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Washington
  • Thumbs Up

    King County Charter Amendment No. 3 - Restructuring Regional Committees.

    The amendment would reduce the number of county council members on regional transit, regional water-quality and regional policy committees. It's a common sense response to the shrinking of the County Council from 13 members to 9 members several years ago. It's wonky housekeeping stuff that makes sense, but we won't hold a grudge against you forever if you disagree. Vote Yes.

  • Thumbs Up

    King County Charter Amendment No. 4 - Additional Qualifications for Certain Officials

    This Amendment allows the county council to establish additional qualifications for the Sheriff, Assessor, and Elections Director (if voters ignore our recommendation on Amendment #1). It's a little obscure, but strongly recommended by the Charter Review Commission. The only standard currently is that candidates be 21 and a registered voter in King County. The Commission believed that the elected heads of Executive Departments with specific technical responsibilities should possess minimal technical qualifications to ensure the jobs are performed competently. Makes sense to us — we think our Sheriff, Assessor and Elections Director should know what they're doing. Vote Yes.

  • Thumbs Up

    King County Charter Amendment No. 5 - Improved Economic Forecasting.

    This amendment beefs up the County's economic forecasting and budgeting by establishing a joint Legislative/Executive Office to make revenue forecasts, and requiring that budgets be based on these forecasts. There is no reasonable argument against this, especially given the budget impacts of our current economic problems.  If you vote against this we will accuse you of lacking common sense. Vote Yes.

  • Thumbs Up

    King County Charter Amendment No. 6 - Longer Budget Review

    This amendment gives the County Council three more weeks to review a budget that has grown from $112 million to $4.9 billion since the County Charter was originally adopted. Everyone who knows anything about the County budget process thinks the existing timeframe is inadequate and supports it. Who are we to quibble? Vote Yes.

  • Thumbs Up

    King County Charter Amendment No. 7 - Reformed Charter Amendment Process

    This Amendment would streamline a confusing and laborious process for amending the County Charter by Initiative, and increase the signature requirements for charter amendments.  The existing process is confusing, and has been hijacked by professional signature gatherers. The Municipal League recommends voting yes on this amendment. We agree. Vote Yes

  • Thumbs Down

    King County Charter Amendment No. 8 - Removing Party Identification

    We support non-partisan government, but this initiative is actually a deceptive attempt to promote a partisan agenda. This initiative was funded by three prominent Republican businessmen.  Concerned about the difficulty of electing Republicans in an increasingly Democratic county, they hope to improve their odds by taking party identification off the ballot (not unlike Dino Rossi's decision to identify himself as GOP rather than a Republican on this year's ballot). The County Council is not overly partisan - it averages less than three straight party line votes per year. We believe voters have a right to know who candidates for public office are and what they stand for. Vote No.