Washington elections, 2012

The state of Washington is holding elections on November 6, 2012.

• Signature filing deadline: May 18, 2012 & July 6, 2012 (Measures only)
• Primary date: August 7, 2012

What's on the Washington Ballot in 2012
U.S. Senate (1 seat)	a
U.S. House (10 seats)	a
State Executives (9 positions)	a
State Senate (24 seats)	a
State House (98 seats)	a
Ballot measures (8 measures yet)	a

2012 Elections

• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House
• State Executives
• State Senate
• State House
• Ballot measures
• Local measures

See also: United States Senate elections in Washington, 2012

Maria Cantwell (D) is running for re-election.

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Washington, 2012

Washington received an additional seat from redistricting. Currently, Democrats hold a 5-4 edge in the nine Congressional districts.

Members of the U.S. House from Washington -- Partisan Breakdown
Party		As of November 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	5	6
	Republican Party	4	4
Total		9	10

See also: Washington state executive official elections, 2012

There are nine state executive positions up for election.

• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Secretary of State
• Attorney General
• Treasurer
• State Auditor
• Superintendent of Public Instruction
• Commissioner of Insurance
• Commissioner of Public Lands

See also: Washington State Senate elections, 2012

Heading into the election, Democrats maintain partisan control in the state senate.

Washington State Senate
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	27	27
	Republican Party	22	22
Total		49	49

See also: Washington House of Representatives elections, 2012

Heading into the election, Democrats maintain partisan control in the state house.

Washington House of Representatives
Party		As of November 5, 2012	After the 2012 Election
	Democratic Party	56	55
	Republican Party	42	43
Total		98	98

See also: Washington 2012 ballot measures

The ballot measures certified are:

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

See also: Local ballot measures, Washington and Local ballot measure elections in 2012

Ballotpedia regularly tracks local ballot elections in 11 states. These states include Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.

For the state of Washington, below is a glimpse of some of the local measures that have appeared or are scheduled to appear on ballots in 2012.

• Fire Protection District Four Bond Proposition (November 2012)
• Endicott Park and Recreation District No. 7 Special Tax Levy (November 2012)
• Tekoa Park and Recreation District No. 6 Levy Proposition (November 2012)
• Oakesdale Park and Recreation District No. 4 Special Levy Proposition (November 2012)
• St. John Park and Recreation District No. 3 Special Levy Proposition (November 2012)
• LaCrosse Park and Recreation District No. 1 Special Tax Levy Proposition (November 2012)
• Whitman County Public Hospital District No. 4 Formation Proposition (November 2012)
• Endicott Cemetery District No. 4 Special Tax Levy Proposition (November 2012)
• St. John Cemetery District No. 3 Levy Proposition (November 2012)
• Oakesdale Cemetery District No. 1 Special Levy Proposition (November 2012)

...click here for all 2012 Washington local measures.

Eligibility to Vote

See also: Voting in the 2012 primary elections

Washington is one of 19 states to use an open primary system. Voters must register to vote in the primary by July 9, 2012, which is 29 days before the primary takes place, or first-time Washington voters may register in person by July 30, 2012, which is 8 days before the primary. (Information about registering to vote)

See also

• Statewide elections, 2012
• 2012 election dates
• Election result resources
• Voter guides
• State Blue Books