Types of ballot measures in Washington


Types of ballot measures
Initiated
• Initiated constitutional amendment
• Initiated state statute
• Veto referendum
Legislative
• Legislative constitutional amendment
• Legislative state statute
• Legislative bond issue
• Advisory question
Other
• Automatic ballot referral
• Commission-referred measure
• Convention-referred amendment
Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures.

In Washington, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Washington State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Washington.

The types of state ballot measures in Washington are:

Initiated state statutes (Initiative to the People)
Indirect initiated state statutes (Initiative to the Legislature)
Veto referendums
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
Legislatively referred state statutes
Legislatively referred bond measures
Constitutional convention questions

Citizen-initiated ballot measures

In Washington, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes (direct and indirect), and veto referendums. These powers were established with voter approval of a constitutional amendment in 1912.

Initiated state statutes

See also: Initiated state statute

An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.

In Washington, the number of signatures required for an directinitiated state statute, called an Initiative to the People (ITP), is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures for direct initiatives are due at least four months prior to the general election. A simple majority vote is required for approval.

Indirect initiated state statutes

See also: Indirect initiated state statute

An indirect initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are nine (9) states that allow citizens to initiate indirect state statutes.

While a direct initiative is placed on the ballot once supporters file the required number of valid signatures, an indirect initiative is first presented to the state legislature. Legislators have a certain number of days, depending on the state, to adopt the initiative into law. Should legislators take no action or reject the initiative, the initiative is put on the ballot for voters to decide.

In Washington, the number of signatures required for an indirect initiated state statute, called an Initiative to the Legislature (ITL), is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures for indirect initiatives are due at least 10 days prior to the beginning of the legislative session in the year of the targeted election.

In Washington, the Legislature has three options regarding Initiatives to the Legislature:

(1) The Legislature can adopt an Initiative to the Legislature, in which case the initiative is enacted into law without a vote of electors;
(2) The Legislature can reject or not act on the initiative, in which case the initiative is placed on the ballot at the next state general election; or
(3) The Legislature can approve an alternative to the proposed initiative, in which case both the original proposal and the legislative alternative are placed on the ballot at the next state general election.

If an indirect initiative goes to the ballot, a simple majority vote is required for approval.

Veto referendums

See also: Veto referendum

A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.

In Washington, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 4% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

Legislative referrals

Legislatively referred constitutional amendments

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

In Washington, a referred constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds (66.67%) vote in each chamber of the Washington State Legislature during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 66 votes in the Washington House of Representatives and 33 votes in the Washington State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred state statutes

See also: Legislatively referred state statute

In Washington, a referred state statute (called a referendum bill in Washington) requires a majority vote in each chamber of the Washington State Legislature during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in the Washington House of Representatives and 25 votes in the Washington State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Legislatively referred bond measures

See also: Legislatively referred bond measure

In Washington, a referred state statute to issue bonds (called a referendum bill in Washington) requires a majority vote in each chamber of the Washington State Legislature during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 50 votes in the Washington House of Representatives and 25 votes in the Washington State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Bond issues require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Constitutional convention questions

See also: Constitutional convention question

According to Article XXIII of the Washington State Constitution, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Washington State Legislature to place a constitutional convention question on the ballot. If a simple majority of voters approve the question, then the legislature needs to call for a convention during its next session.

Historical types of ballot measures

Advisory questions

See also: Advisory question

In 2007, voters approved Initiative 960, which required an automatic statewide advisory question on bills to increase tax revenue. In 2023, Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed Senate Bill 5082, which repealed the advisory question requirement.^[1]

Other types of ballot measures

Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:

Types of state ballot measures

Citizen-initiated ballot measure

• Initiated constitutional amendment

• Direct initiated constitutional amendment

• Indirect initiated constitutional amendment

• Initiated state statute

• Direct initiated state statute

• Indirect initiated state statute

• Combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute

• Veto referendum

• Statute affirmation (Nevada)

Legislatively referred ballot measure