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. 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.
Since adopting this process, ballot measures have become widely accepted as part of Washington's electoral system. over 2,000 different initiatives had been filed with the state, along with a significantly smaller number of referendums. Of those, only a fraction have received the required signatures to be placed on the ballot. 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.
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. 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. The following year, voters approved Referendum Measure 71, which marked the first time voters had expanded recognition of queer relationships at the ballot box. 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. That same year, the passage of Initiative Measure 502 led to Washington becoming the first state to fully legalize marijuana for recreational use.
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. 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. Some paid signature gatherers have been arrested on charges of forgery and election fraud for placing fake signatures on petitions.
Since sponsoring his first measure in 1997, Tim Eyman has been the most prolific sponsor of initiatives and referendums in the state. 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. 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.
Types of ballot measures
thumb|alt=A photo of an election ballot. There are two measures visible in the photo. The first is Referendum 74, a measure that legalized gay marriage in the state of Washington. The second is Initiative 502, a measure that legalized marijuana in the state of Washington. Both measures have their "Yes" bubble filled in.|A ballot from 2012 showing Referendum 74 and Initiative 502, which legalized gay marriage and marijuana.|upright=0.75
Initiatives
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.
Referendums
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.
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|55,080 (20.58%)
|212,542 (79.42%)
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!scope=row |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
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|48,354 (15.51%)
|263,390 (84.49%)
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!scope=row |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
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|96,100 (63.89%)
|54,322 (36.11%)
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!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 1
|A measure calling for a state constitutional convention
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|71,284 (29.51%)
|170,242 (70.49%)
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!scope=row |Referendum Bill 1
|A measure establishing a new highway system, funded by driver's license fees and new taxes
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|52,621 (24.56%)
|161,677 (75.44%)
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!scope=row |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
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|158,922 (41.78%)
|221,500 (58.22%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 50
|A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state, county, municipalities, and school districts
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|87,158 (44.77%)
|107,524 (55.23%)
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!scope=row |Constitutional Amendment Article II, Sec. 23
|An amendment compensating every state legislator $300 a year () and 10¢ for every mile of travel ()
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|131,126 (48.21%)
|140,887 (51.79%)
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1930
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
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!scope=col | Measure name
!scope=col class=unsortable | Description
!scope=col | Status
!scope=col | Yes votes
!scope=col | No votes
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!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 13
|A measure to allow county commissioners to fill state legislative vacancies that occur before a scheduled election
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|133,255 (60.33%)
|87,633 (39.67%)
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!scope=row |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
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|170,101 (53.44%)
|148,201 (46.56%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 58
|A measure providing permanent voter registration and creating new government positions to keep voter rolls up-to-date
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|134,908 (43.37%)
|176,154 (56.63%)
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!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 14
|A measure barring the state legislature from imposing taxes at the local level
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|173,930 (38.44%)
|278,543 (61.56%)
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!scope=row |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
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|293,202 (65.69%)
|153,142 (34.31%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 129
|A measure to limit the tax rate of personal property by state, county, municipalities, and school districts
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|253,318 (41.13%)
|362,508 (58.87%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 141
|A measure providing a minimum $40 grant every month to Washington citizens over 65 years of age ()
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|246,257 (69.35%)
|108,845 (30.65%)
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!scope=row |Referendum Measure 23
|A measure providing for an attorney independent from the prosecuting attorney to assist and advise grand juries
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|357,488 (33.40%)
|179,273 (66.60%)
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!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 4
|An amendment requiring that revenue from driver's license fees and taxes on fuel be used for highway purposes only
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|220,239 (37.45%)
|367,836 (62.55%)
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!scope=row |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
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|337,554 (54.45%)
|282,324 (45.55%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the Legislature 13
|A measure banning any entity except for the state of Washington from selling alcohol
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|286,189 (47.68%)
|314,014 (52.32%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 178
|A measure transferring Washington's public assistance medical program to the Washington State Department of Health
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|389,626 (54.66%)
|323,133 (45.34%)
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!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 8
|An amendment permitting school districts to take on additional debt when authorized by a vote of the people
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|207,746 (25.23%)
|615,794 (74.77%)
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!scope=row |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
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|329,653 (31.86%)
|704,903 (68.14%)
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!scope=row |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
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|402,937 (50.71%)
|391,726 (49.29%)
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!scope=row |Senate Joint Resolution 12
|An amendment creating a seven-member commission that would handle redistricting every ten years
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|526,130 (52.11%)
|483,449 (47.89%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 205
|A measure creating a new liquor license for taverns allowing them to sell alcoholic liquor
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|392,172 (49.47%)
|400,630 (50.53%)
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!scope=row |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
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|665,737 (63.56%)
|381,743 (36.44%)
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!scope=row |Referendum Bill 11
|A measure authorizing up to $10,00,000 for the acquisition of outdoor public recreational land ()
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|403,700 (43.98%)
|514,281 (56.02%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 229
|A measure repealing restrictions on what people may do on a Sunday, including restrictions on alcohol consumption and sports
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|792,242 (66.70%)
|394,644 (23.30%)
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!scope=row |Initiative to the People 245
|A measure reducing the amount of interest or one-time fees that can be considered a "retail service charge"
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|504,779 (48.91%)
|527,263 (51.09%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 256
|A measure banning the sale of drinks in containers with a recycling deposit value of five cents or lower
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|526,371 (37.02%)
|895,385 (62.98%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 261
|A measure privatizing state-owned liquor stores and barring the state from distributing or selling alcohol
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|798,338 (80.14%)
|197,795 (19.86%)
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!scope=row |Referendum Measure 36
|A measure lowering the drinking age from 21 to 19
| (required at least 60% in favor)
|515,404 (54.75%)
|425,903 (42.25%)
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!scope=row |Senate Joint Resolution 140
|An amendment restricting the governor's veto power and allowing the legislature to reconsider vetoed bills
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|323,831 (33.18%)
|652,178 (66.82%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 316
|A measure mandating the death penalty for people convicted of first degree aggravated murder
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|522,921 (54.76%)
|431,989 (45.24%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 345
|A measure exempting food from state and local sales taxes
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|585,903 (66.29%)
|297,991 (33.71%)
|}
1979
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+
!scope=col | Measure name
!scope=col class=unsortable | Description
!scope=col | Status
!scope=col | Yes votes
!scope=col | No votes
|-
!scope=row |Referendum Bill 37
|A measure authorizing $25,000,000 in funding for facilities for the mentally and physically disabled ()
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|576,882 (66.83%)
|286,365 (33.17%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 61
|A measure banning the sale of drinks in containers with a recycling deposit of less than five cents
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|1,211,606 (75.49%)
|393,415 (24.51%)
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!scope=row |Referendum Bill 38
|A measure authorizing $125,000,000 in funding for water supply facilities ()
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|532,178 (58.06%)
|384,419 (41.94%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 402
|A measure replacing inheritance and gift taxes with a tax on the transfer of net estates
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|452,710 (33.97%)
|880,135 (66.03%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 414
|A measure prohibiting the sale of drinks in containers with a recycling deposit of five cents or less
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|639,981 (61.07%)
|407,916 (38.93%)
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!scope=row |Senate Joint Resolution 105
|An amendment extending maximum state harbor leases from thirty to fifty-five years
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|916,855 (53.16%)
|807,825 (46.84%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 464
|A measure excluding trade-ins from selling price sales tax
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|582,471 (71.37%)
|233,728 (28.63%)
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!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 22
|An amendment eliminating voter turnout requirements for votes approving excess property tax levies for schools
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|1,055,896 (82.62%)
|222,141 (17.38%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 90
|A measure increasing sales taxes for the purpose of funding wildlife conservation and recreation programs
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|282,613 (34.29%)
|541,387 (65.71%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 92
|A measure banning doctors from charging patients on Medicare more than Medicare's "allowable/reasonable" charges
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|1,354,454 (76.55%)
|414,926 (23.45%)
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!scope=row |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.
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|349,357 (33.65%)
|688,782 (66.35%)
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!scope=row |Senate Joint Resolution 8200
|An amendment granting basic fundamental rights to victims of felony crimes
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|327,339 (24.91%)
|968,505 (75.09%)
|-
!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 4203
|An amendment adding additional requirements for a new county to be formed
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|690,828 (45.98%)
|811,686 (54.02%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 559
|A measure reducing property taxes
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|1,119,985 (52.38%)
|1,018,260 (47.62%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 134
|A measure limiting campaign contributions, prohibiting public funding of political campaigns, and restricting campaign fundraising activities
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|1,135,521 (75.20%)
|374,567 (25.80%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 601
|A measure limiting state expenditures by inflation rates and population growth
|774,342 (51.21%)
|737,735 (48.79%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 602
|A measure limiting state revenue collections and expenditures on personal income
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|955,960 (57.60%)
|703,619 (42.40%)
|-
!scope=row |Referendum Bill 43
|A measure requiring that tax revenues from cigarettes, liquor, and pop syrup be distributed to violence reduction and drug enforcement programs
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|566,880 (42.48%)
|767,686 (57.52%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 651
|A measure removing restrictions on gambling on tribal lands
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|1,387,577 (62.99%)
|815,385 (37.01%)
|-
!scope=row |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
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|521,161 (32.39%)
|1,087,903 (67.61%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 676
|A measure requiring trigger locks on handguns and implementing a system of handgun licensing
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|1,259,470 (66.10%)
|644,764 (33.90%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 692
|A measure decriminalizing medical marijuana use for patients with terminal or debilitating conditions
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|992,715 (56.16%)
|775,054 (43.84%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 696
|A measure outlawing commercial net, troll, and trawl fishing, with an exception for tribal fisheries
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|1,315,903 (54.61%)
|1,093,587 (45.39%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 722
|A measure repealing tax increases passed in 1999, exempting vehicles from property taxes, and limiting annual property tax increases to 2%
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|826,258 (57.60%)
|609,266 (42.40%)
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!scope=row |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
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|901,478 (51.47%)
|849,986 (48.53%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 790
|A measure placing management of the law enforcement officers and firefighters' retirement system in a board of trustees
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|656,737 (53.49%)
|570,980 (46.51%)
|-
!scope=row |House Joint Resolution 4206
|An amendment permitting newly elected office holders to take office early if a vacancy arises
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|1,632,225 (59.85%)
|1,095,190 (40.15%)
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!scope=row |Initiative Measure 884
|A measure increasing the state sales tax by 1% to create an education trust fund
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|994,757 (56.40%)
|767,844 (43.60%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 901
|A measure prohibiting smoking in buildings and vehicles open to the public, including areas within of doorways and ventilation openings
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|778,047 (38.20%)
|1,258,110 (61.80%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 933
|A measure compensating property owners when regulations damage the use or value of their property
|
|816,792 (51.24%)
|777,125 (48.76%)
|-
!scope=row |Referendum Measure 67
|A measure allowing consumers to collect triple damages from their insurance company for unreasonably denied claims
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|1,163,216 (40.01%)
|1,744,156 (59.99%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 1000
|A measure legalizing assisted suicide for mentally competent, terminally ill adults
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|434,051 (44.62%)
|538,768 (55.38%)
|-
!scope=row |Referendum Measure 71
|A measure recognizing long-term same-sex partners to have the same rights as married spouses (without recognizing them as married)
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|1,571,655 (63.75%)
|895,833 (36.25%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 1082
|A measure privatizing workers compensation insurance in the state
|
|878,923 (46.79%)
|999,484 (53.21%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative Measure 1163
|A measure requiring long-term care workers receive background checks, training, and meet certification requirements
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|1,055,749 (52.99%)
|936,751 (47.01%)
|-
!scope=row |Senate Joint Resolution 8200
|An amendment allowing the legislature to pass bills detailing the succession of power during an emergency
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|2,283,630 (57.82%)
|1,665,906 (42.18%)
|-
!scope=row |Senate Joint Resolution 8212
|An amendment allowing the state legislature to invest the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account into stocks
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|1,941,474 (51.71%)
|1,813,169 (48.29%)
|-
!scope=row |Initiative 2109
|A measure repealing Senate Bill 5096, which created a capital gains tax in Washington.