Washington 2012 ballot measures

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Eight ballot measures were certified for the 2012 ballot in the state of Washington.

• The petition drive deadline for proposed citizen initiatives was July 6, 2012. A minimum of 241,153 valid petition signatures were required to qualify an Initiative to the People for the 2012 statewide ballot.
• Two measures filed signatures by the deadline; both made the ballot.
• The 2012 state legislative session began on January 9, 2012 and ended on March 8, 2012. Legislative referrals could have been sent to the 2012 ballot during this time.

On the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
ITP	Initiative 1185	Taxes	Would require either two-thirds legislative approval or a vote by the people in order to raise taxes.	aot
ITP	Initiative 1240	Education	Allow 40 public charter schools in the state over five years.	a
VR	Referendum 74	Marriage	Would ask if same-sex marriage should be legalized in the state.	a
ITL	Initiative 502	Marijuana	Would legalize and regulate the sale of small amounts of marijuana to people 21 and older	a
LRCA	SJR 8221	Budgets	To include the recommendations of the commission on state debt.	a
LRCA	SJR 8223	Education	Provide authority to state research universities to invest funds.	d
AQ	Advisory Vote 1	Taxes	Declares an intent to improve the long-term sustainability of the state budget.	a
AQ	Advisory Vote 2	Insurance	Delays the expiration of the pollution liability insurance agency's funding.	a

Not on the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
-	Temporary Sales Tax Increase Measure	Taxes	Would implement a temporary, half-cent sales tax increase.
LRCA	Citizen Initiative Funding Amendment	Direct democracy	Would require citizen initiatives to identify a source of funds to cover any new costs.
ITP	Vehicle License Tab Fees, Initiative 1186	Transportation	Would cap vehicle license tab fees at $30 per year
ITP	Red-Light Cameras, Initiative 1187	Law enforcement	Would require the removal of automatic ticketing cameras not approved by voters
ITP	"Protect the Initiative Act," Initiative 1188	Direct democracy measures	Would establish protections for citizens participating in the initiative and referendum process
ITP	State Inspector General Office, Initiative 1189	Admin of gov't	Would create the office of "State Inspector General"
ITP	Marijuana Initiative	Marijuana	Would reclassify marijuana as an agricultural product and allow for the possession and sale of marijuana.
ITP	13.5 Hour Limited Driver's License Initiative	Transportation	Instead of suspending licenses for unpaid fines, would implement a limited working driver's license
ITP	"Definition of Marriage" Initiative	Marriage and family	Defines marriage as between one man and one woman
ITL	Supermajority Vote Requirement, Initiative 485 & 489 (4)	Taxes	Requires a 2/3 supermajority or 66% legislative approval or voter approval to raise taxes
ITL	Motor Vehicle Fees, Initiative 490 (2)	Transportation	Would set $30 annual vehicle-license fees
ITL	Marijuana Penalties, Initiative 493 (2)	Marijuana	Removes certain state criminal and civil penalties relating to manufacture, possession, use, and distribution of marijuana and paraphernalia
ITL	Initiative Proposals, Initiative 494	Elections	Permits the filing of an initiative measure up to eighteen months before the targeted election or legislative session

Local ballot measures

See also: Local ballot measure elections in 2012

• February 14 • April 17 • August 7 • November 6

See also

• 2012 ballot measures
• List of Washington ballot measures
• Laws governing the initiative process in Washington
• Washington signature requirements
• History of Initiative & Referendum in Washington

Articles

• Road and transit tax proposals may surface on Washington's 2012 ballot

External links

• Washington Elections & Voting
• Initiative and referendum filed in 2012

Additional reading

• The News Tribune,"Washington Senate now 2 votes shy on gay marriage," January 13, 2012
• Shoreline Patch.com,"Smith on Politics: Rep. Ryu Expects Legislature to Send Tax Referendum to Ballot ," January 12, 2012
• Washington Secretary of State: From Our Corner,"Citizen initiative process now open for business," January 6, 2012
• Public News Service,"Predictions for WA's Special Legislative Session," November 28, 2011
• The Seattle Times,"Gay marriage? State lawmakers wonder if votes are there," August 27, 2011
• The Daily Herald,"Road, transit measure brewing," July 3, 2011
• The Freedom Foundation, "2012 Informed Voter Guide - Ballot Measures," September 11, 2012