Washington Unemployment Insurance, Referendum 53 was on the
November 5, 2002 ballot in the
State of Washington as a
veto referendum, where it succeeded in
overturning parts of a law recently enacted by the
Washington State Legislature. The law that was partially overturned was about unemployment insurance for employers. It established new employer rate classes, increased some taxable wage bases, and imposed surcharges under certain circumstances.
Election results
| Referendum 53 |
|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage |
 d No | 966,901 | 59.22% |
| Yes | 665,760 | 40.78% |
The question on the ballot was "The Legislature passed Engrossed House Bill 2901 (EHB 2901) concerning unemployment insurance [and voters have filed a sufficient referendum petition on parts of this bill]. This bill would revise laws regarding unemployment insurance for employers, including establishing new employer rate classes, increasing some taxable wage bases, and imposing surcharges if certain contingencies occur. Should this Bill be Approved or Rejected?"
Path to the ballot
Elliot J. Swaney filed a notice of intent to seek signatures to overturn the new unemployment insurance law on April 8, 2002. His group ultimately submitted 151, 239 signatures.
Vote in legislature
Engrossed House Bill 2901 -- the law that Referendum 53 challenged -- was passed by the Washington State Legislature by these votes:
See also
External links
References
