November 3, 2020 ballot measures in Washington
- Election date: Nov. 3
- Registration deadline(s): Nov. 3 (in person); Oct. 26 (online; by mail)
- Online registration: Yes
- Same-day registration: Yes
- Recount laws
- Early voting starts: Oct. 16[1]
- Absentee/mail voting deadline(s): Nov. 3 (received)
- Processing, counting, and challenging absentee/mail-in ballots
- Voter ID: No ID
- Poll times: Varies locally[1]
Ballotpedia covered nine local ballot measures in King County, Washington.[2]
In 2020, Ballotpedia covered local measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and a selection of notable police-related and election-related measures outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia also covered all local measures in California and all statewide ballot measures. Ballotpedia's 2020 local ballot measure coverage includes Seattle, Washington. Click here to see the scope of Ballotpedia local ballot measure coverage by year.
Statewide ballot measures
- See also: Washington 2020 ballot measures
| Type | Number | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR | Referendum 90 | Education | Repeals Senate Bill 5395 (2020) regarding sexual health education in public schools |  |
| AQ | Advisory Vote 32 | Taxes | Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 5323, which was designed to levy a retail sales tax on certain carryout bags |  |
| AQ | Advisory Vote 33 | Taxes | Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 5628, which was designed to levy a tax on heavy equipment rentals | |
| AQ | Advisory Vote 34 | Taxes | Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 6492, which was designed to increase the business and occupation tax rate and reduce certain surcharges | |
| AQ | Advisory Vote 35 | Taxes | Advises legislature to either repeal or maintain Senate Bill 6690, which was designed to increase the business and occupation tax on commercial airplane manufacturers | |
| LRCA | Senate Joint Resolution 8212 | State and local government budgets, spending and finance | Allows funds in the Long-Term Care Services and Supports Trust Account to be invested | |
Local ballot measures
King County
- See also: King County, Washington ballot measures
A "yes" vote supported amending the county charter to require investigations into all police-related deaths and to provide public attorneys to represent the decedent's family in the investigation. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the county charter to require investigations into all police-related deaths, including deaths that resulted from a lack of medical care by police, and to provide a public attorney to represent the decedent's family in the investigation, thus maintaining that the county is not required to investigate such deaths resulting from a lack of medical care nor provide an attorney for the decedent's family. |
A "yes" vote supported amending the county charter to remove a restriction on the county's authority to transfer, sell, or lease real property for less than fair market value when used for affordable housing. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the county charter, thus maintaining the restriction on county authority to transfer, sell, or lease real property for less than fair market value. |
• King County, Washington, Charter Amendment 3, County Charter Preamble Measure (November 2020): ✔
A "yes" vote supported replacing the word "citizen" in the preamble of the county's charter with "public," "member of the public," or "resident," where applicable. |
A "no" vote opposed replacing the word "citizen" in the preamble of the county's charter with "public," "member of the public," or "resident," where applicable. |
A "yes" vote supported amending the county charter to authorize the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) to subpoena witnesses, documents, and other evidence in its investigations of law enforcement personnel. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the county charter to authorize the Office of Law Enforcement Oversight (OLEO) to subpoena witnesses, documents, and other evidence in its investigations of law enforcement personnel, thereby maintaining that the OLEO has subpoena power through the county code. |
A "yes" vote supported returning the office of the sheriff from an elected position to an appointed position that is appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the county council. |
A "no" vote opposed returning the office of the sheriff to an appointed position and supported continuing to elect the county sheriff. |
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A "no" vote opposed giving the county council the authority to specify the duties of the sheriff, thereby maintaining that the duties of the sheriff are provided through state law. |
A "yes" vote supported amending the county charter to prohibit discrimination in county employment or contracting for the following protected statuses: family caregivers, military personnel, and veterans who were honorably discharged. |
A "no" vote opposed amending the county charter to include family caregivers, military personnel, and veterans who were honorably discharged in the list of statuses protected from discrimination in county employment or contracting, thereby maintaining the existing list, which includes sex, race, color, national origin, religious affiliation, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and age. |
• King County, Washington, Proposition 1, Bond Issue for Harborview Medical Center (November 2020): ✔
A "yes" vote supported authorizing the county to issue $1.74 billion in bonds for renovations and improvements to the Harborview Medical Center and authorizing the county to impose a tax to repay the bonds. |
A "no" vote opposed authorizing the county to issue $1.74 billion in bonds for renovations and improvements to the Harborview Medical Center. |
• Seattle, Washington, Proposition 1, Transit Sales Tax Increase (November 2020): ✔
A "yes" vote supported renewing a sales tax to fund transit projects for six years and increasing the tax from 0.1% to 0.15%. |
A "no" vote opposed renewing a sales tax to fund transit projects for six years and increasing the tax from 0.1% to 0.15%, thereby allowing the existing tax to expire on December 31, 2020. |
How to cast a vote
- See also: Voting in Washington
Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Washington.
| How to cast a vote in Washington | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Poll timesWashington is an all-mail voting state. Individuals who prefer to vote in person rather than by mail may do so at local voting centers, which are open for 18 days prior to the election. The voting period ends at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day. Contact your county elections department for more information on voting center locations and times.[3] Registration requirements
To vote in Washington, one must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of the state, and at least 18 years of age.[4] One may register to vote online, by mail, or in-person at a county elections department. Registration must be completed eight days in advance if done by mail or online. In-person registration is available through Election Day.[5] In 2018, Washington lawmakers enacted legislation providing for same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration.[6] Automatic registrationWashington automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles, health benefit exchange, and other state agencies approved by the governor.[6] Online registration
Washington has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Same-day registrationWashington allows same-day voter registration.[6] Residency requirementsWashington law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.[4] Verification of citizenshipWashington does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who knowingly provides false information or knowingly make a false declaration about their qualifications "will have committed a class C felony that is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to ten thousand dollars, or both."[7] All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[8] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters. Verifying your registrationThe site Vote WA, run by the Washington Secretary of State office, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. Voter ID requirementsWashington is an all-mail voting state and does not require voters to present photo identification (ID). Voters may choose to vote in person at a local voting center. According to state law RCW 29A.40.160, “The county auditor shall require any person desiring to vote at a voting center to either sign a ballot declaration or provide identification.”[9] The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2025. Click here for the Washington State Legislature's voter ID regulations to ensure you have the most current information.
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See also
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Washington is a vote-by-mail state. Early voting dates and polling hours apply to county-level vote centers where individuals can instead vote in person.
- ↑ King County, "List of ballot measures on the November 2020 ballot," accessed August 6, 2020
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, “Frequently Asked Questions on Voting by Mail,” accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Washington Secretary of State, "Voter Eligibility," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "Voter registration deadlines," accessed April 20, 2023
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Hill, "Wash. gov signs universal voter registration law," March 20, 2018
- ↑ Washington Secretary of State, "Washington State Voter Registration Form," accessed November 2, 2024
- ↑ Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
- ↑ Washington State Legislature, "RCW 29A.40.160," accessed October 9, 2025
