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Seattle, Washington, Proposition 1, Transit Sales Tax Increase (November 2020)
| Seattle Proposition 1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 2020 | |
| Topic Local sales tax and Local transportation | |
Status Approved | |
| Type Referral | Origin Lawmakers |
Seattle Proposition 1 was on the ballot as a referral in Seattle on November 3, 2020. It was approved.
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. |
A simple majority was required for the approval of Proposition 1.
Seattle Proposition 1 would increase the 0.1% sales tax set to expire on December 31, 2020, to 0.15% for six years.
Election results
|
Seattle Proposition 1 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
333,358 | 80.32% | ||
| No | 81,704 | 19.68% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Proposition 1 was as follows:
| “ | The City of Seattle’s Proposition 1 concerns funding for transit and related transportation needs in Seattle.
If approved, this proposition authorizes up to 0.15% sales and use tax expiring April 1, 2027, and as proposed in Ordinance 126115, to replace the current voter-approved 0.1% sales tax, expiring December 31, 2020.
Revenues are dedicated to: transit services benefitting Seattle residents, including frequent transit network maintenance and associated capital improvements; low-income fare programs for Seattle seniors, students, workers, and residents; and transportation needs related to COVID-19 recovery and the West Seattle Bridge closure.
Should this proposition be approved?
Yes No | ” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary for this measure was:
| “ |
In 2014, Seattle voters approved a $60 Vehicle License Fee and a 0.1 percent sales and use tax for a six-year term expiring on December 31, 2020. To replace the funding expiring at the end of this year, Proposition 1 proposes a 0.15 percent sales and use tax for six years starting April 1, 2021, and ending April 1, 2027. Tax revenue is only for purposes described in Ordinance 126115, including: King County Metro services with over 65 percent of stops within Seattle; service hours on current and future RapidRide lines serving Seattle; programs supporting transit access for low-income residents, workers (including “Essential Workers”), seniors, and youth, including the ORCA Opportunity program for K-12 students and income-eligible college students; limited transit infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements; and emerging mobility needs related to COVID-19 response and recovery, and closure of the West Seattle High Bridge, including first-last mile transit connections, the Reconnect West Seattle plan’s strategies, and regional partnerships. Beginning in 2022, more than half of the tax revenue spent annually will go to King County Metro services with over 65 percent of stops within Seattle, and to current and future RapidRide lines serving Seattle. The City will issue an annual report describing King County Metro’s services in Seattle and countywide, how Proposition 1 revenues were used, and impacts of King County’s service reductions, increases, or changes in Seattle. The Seattle Transit Advisory Board will serve as the public oversight committee charged with advising on spending of Proposition 1 revenues. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Support
Yes for Transit led the campaign in support of Proposition 1.[1]
Supporters
Officials
- State Representative Nicole Macri (D)
- Seattle mayor Jenny Durkan (Nonpartisan)
- King County Executive Dow Constantine
- King County councilmember Rod Dembowski (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember M. Lorena Gonzalez (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez (Nonpartisan)
- King County councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles (Nonpartisan)
- King County Councilmember Andrew Lewis (Nonpartisan)
- King County councilmember Joe McDermott (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember Tammy Morales (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember Alex Pedersen (Nonpartisan)
- Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant (Independent)
- Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss (Nonpartisan)
- King County councilmember Girmay Zahilay (Nonpartisan)
Political Parties
- 36th District Democrats
- 37th District Democrats
- 43rd District Democrats
- 46th District Democrats
- King County Democrats
Unions
Organizations
Arguments
Opposition
Ballotpedia did not identify committees, organizations, or individuals opposing Proposition 1. If you are aware of any opponents or opposing arguments, please send an email with a link to editor@ballotpedia.org.
Path to the ballot
This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing body of Seattle.[2]
See also
External links
Support |
OppositionSubmit links to editor@ballotpedia.org. |
Footnotes
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